AAA: Unbuckled motorists account for more than 25% of traffic fatalities

CHEYENNE (WNE) — While the vast majority (91%) of adults buckle up, new research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals that unbelted occupants account for a considerable amount of traffic deaths.

The analysis of Fatal Crash Data Analysis from 2017 through 2022 found that more than a quarter of U.S. drivers and passengers (28%) involved in a fatal crash in the last 30 days were unbuckled, pointing to a critical gap in seat belt use.

“Seat belts are a lifesaving tool that significantly reduce the risk of death and serious injury in a motor vehicle crash,” said David Caltabiano, spokesperson for AAA Mountain West Group, in a news release. “To protect you and your passengers on the road, AAA encourages all vehicle occupants to prioritize buckling up every time.”

According to the research, seat belt use appears to differ across motorists of varying ages. The general trend is that older motorists and children tend to use seat belts more often than young adult motorists. 

The AAA  research also revealed the following:

Seventy percent of drivers and 57% of passengers reported always wearing a seat belt.

Three percent of drivers and 6% of passengers reported they rarely wore a seat belt.

Seat belt use drops significantly among certain groups — such as males, younger adults, rear-seat passengers, pickup truck occupants, night time or rural road travelers and those engaging in impaired or risky behaviors.

To read the entire AAAFTS report on seat belt behavior, visit tinyurl.com/seat-belt-study.