IIHS launches online tool showing how state seatbelt laws impact death rates per state
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) launches an online tool that shows how specific changes to seatbelt laws would impact belt use and fatality rates in each state.
The seatbelt law calculator was developed using IIHS statistical models based on published research findings regarding the effects of different types of seatbelt laws, a press release says.
“This calculator will help advocates and policymakers understand the safety benefits a state can reap with simple legislative changes,” said Chuck Farmer, IIHS vice president for research, in the release. “For the 22 jurisdictions that already have the strongest provisions in place, it shows the cost of any potential backsliding.”
According to the release, 277 lives would have been saved in 2023 if every state had optimal belt use laws.
Seatbelt laws vary widely throughout the nation, the release says.
For example, New Hampshire is the only state that doesn’t require front seatbelt use. However, it is one of 16 states that don’t require adult passengers to wear a rear seatbelt.
Enforcement of the laws also varies from state to state.
Primary enforcement laws allow police to stop a vehicle and issue a citation solely for failure to wear a seatbelt. Secondary laws only allow law ticketing if drivers are pulled over for another violation first.
According to IIHS data, among people 13 and older killed in crashes while riding in a passenger vehicle in 2023, only 45% were confirmed to be using seatbelts.
Seatbelt use rates are generally lower in states with weaker laws, the release said.
“Studies have consistently shown that requiring belts can sway many holdouts and that laws with primary enforcement are more effective than those that allow only secondary enforcement,” the release says.
New Hampshire would be the state with the most to gain from changes to seatbelt laws, according to IIHS. It could cut deaths of passenger-vehicle occupants 13 and older by 8.9%, the release says.
States with only front-seat laws and secondary enforcement could also see progress with law changes, the release says. Nebraska, for example, could see a 6.6% drop in deaths.
Montana could also see a 6.4% drop in fatalities by transitioning to primary enforcement.
Other states could expand primary enforcement to include the front and back seats. For example, overall Georgia teen and adult deaths would see a drop of 0.7%.
“Strengthening laws is just one way to increase seat belt use,” the release says. “Vehicle technology can also help. IIHS research has shown that persistent visual and audible reminders that go well beyond the 4- to 8-second reminders required under federal regulations are highly effective at changing behavior.”
IIHS also began rating belt reminders in 2022, prompting automakers to make improvements. About 71% of 2025 vehicles earned a good rating for their belt reminders, compared to 16% in 2022 models.
“Despite these improvements, it will be many years before a majority of vehicles on the road have good belt reminders. In the meantime, stronger belt laws and better enforcement are tools that can yield rapid results,” the release says.
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