Texas' seat belt usage has increased by 7% from 2000 (67.7%) to 2017 (72.7%), ranking it the 7th-lowest rate of improvement in the country. Statistics show that more than 50% of people who died in crashes in 2016 were not buckled at the time of the accident.
Our team of analysts looked at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data to compare seat belt usage from 2000 to 2017. We found which states had the highest rate of improvement (and those who decreased) based on usage among drivers in fatal crashes.
Key Findings:
In 2000, Texas had the 5th-highest usage rates at 67.7%
With a 7% increase, in 2017 it was 7th-highest at 72.7%
While it was 7th-lowest rate of improvement, it already has relatively high usage rates
Only three states saw a decline in seat belt usage: Wyoming (-6%), Oregon (-9%) and Hawaii (-12%).