LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Seatbelts save lives — and Michiganders know it. A new survey conducted by Michigan State University found that 93.2% of Michigan car passengers used seatbelts in 2025, the highest usage rate since 2019.

The rate is an increase of 1.2% since 2024, a year which marked a 20-year low in seatbelt usage, according to the report

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“Every time we buckle up, we protect not just ourselves but everyone on the road,” said Alicia Sledge, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) in a statement. “We’re encouraged by the progress in seat belt use in Michigan, but continued education and enforcement are essential to keeping every driver and passenger safe.”

The observational study also found that seatbelt usage rates are highest among SUV occupants at 95.5%, while pickup truck occupants had the lowest rates at 89.3%. Women also tended to have higher seatbelt rates at 95.3% as compared to men at 91.7%.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires states to conduct annual seatbelt usage surveys to evaluate seatbelt use.