New Study Shows Increased Seat Belt Use in Massachusetts

Seat belt use increased for the third straight year amid ongoing efforts

BRAINTREE –During 2025, more Massachusetts road users than ever are likely to use their seat belts to ensure safe travels. A new study has found that seat belt use in Massachusetts has increased for the third year in a row, marking the state’s highest seat belt usage rate on record. The Healey-Driscoll Administration commended the collaborative efforts led by state and local agencies to achieve this result.
 
The 2025 Massachusetts Safety Belt Observational Study, which is conducted annually, reported a seat belt usage rate of 85.53% – an increase over the state’s 2024 usage rate of 84.36%. Specifically, the report found that the state successfully increased seat belt use among demographics that have historically had lower usage rates. This marks the third year in a row that Massachusetts has achieved an overall increase in seat belt use.
 
In addition, Massachusetts experienced fewer fatal crashes in 2025 than in the previous year. MassDOT has recorded 342 fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2025, compared to 364 in 2024.
 
“We know that seat belts save lives, and it’s so important that seat belt usage continues to increase every year in Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re grateful for the hard work of our partners in transportation, public safety and local governments to enhance safety on the roads for us all.”
 
“Whether you’re a driver or passenger, one of the most important things you can do to protect your safety is to buckle your seat belt. This study shows that we’ve made progress in increasing the safety of road users,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.
 
The annual study is mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The study has been conducted every year in Massachusetts except 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Usage rates dipped in 2021 and 2022 before returning to their upward trend. Since 2015, seat belt use in Massachusetts has increased by more than 10%.
 
This year’s study was conducted between June 3-28, and NHTSA formally approved the results of the study in November. As the State Administering Agency for all NHTSA grant funds received by Massachusetts, the Office of Grants and Research (OGR) contracted with University of Massachusetts Transportation Center - Traffic Safety Research Program (UMassSafe) to conduct the study. Research teams spread out across 147 locations throughout the state to conduct observational research of drivers and front seat passengers. In total, researchers recorded observations of 24,662 individuals in 23,298 vehicles. The data offer insight into seat belt use by perceived age, race and sex, as well as geographic region, occupant type (driver or front seat passenger), vehicle type and time of day and week.
 
“Everyone has a role to play in keeping our roads safe, and wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest steps we can take to protect ourselves and the people we care about,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina K. Kwon. “When drivers and passengers buckle up every time, they help prevent serious injuries and make travel safer for families and communities across the Commonwealth.” 
 
“For most of us, buckling up is second nature. This study shows that more and more Massachusetts residents are using their seat belt, and we’re working with partners in law enforcement, transportation, nonprofits and other stakeholders to encourage everyone to wear a seat belt,” said OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton. “It’s one simple step that could save your life.”
 
“It’s a known fact that seat belts save lives, and to see seat belt usage continue to increase for a third straight year is fantastic.  Under the Healey-Driscoll Administration, safety has been a top priority across all agencies, and it is heartwarming to see that people are listening.  Not only is it important to buckle up yourself, but please make sure your loved ones do the same, including young children and those in booster or car seats,” said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng.
 
“We are pleased to learn that the use of seat belts has been increasing,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “Buckling up is the best way to prevent injuries and deaths. Be proactive in urging family members and friends to wear seat belts because everyone will be safer – it is an easy and quick step to take when getting in an automobile.”
 
“Seat belts and child safety seats save lives. Every time someone buckles up, they dramatically reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a crash. Our role as a law enforcement agency is not just enforcement, but education: helping families understand how to protect themselves and their children every time they get in a vehicle. We’re encouraged to see more Massachusetts residents choosing to buckle up, because those small, everyday decisions make our roads safer for everyone,” said Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble.
 
Massachusetts law states that a driver stopped by police may receive a citation if not wearing a seat belt or for any passenger who is unrestrained or not in a proper child safety seat (for children age 8 or younger who are under 57 inches tall). Any passenger aged 16 or older found not wearing a seat belt can also receive a citation.
 
Wide reaching efforts have been made to increase seat belt use, contributing to a rise in use each year under the Healey-Driscoll Administration. These efforts are part of a larger set of initiatives focused on improving the safety of all road users, including:
 
• Municipal Road Safety Grant Program: Using federal funds awarded by OGR through the Municipal Road Safety Grant Program, 191 local police departments across the state conducted 37,887 hours of traffic safety enforcement so far this year, including 6,470 enforcement hours performed during NHTSA’s May seat belt enforcement period. In October, OGR awarded FY26 Municipal Road Safety Grant Program awards totaling nearly $6.2 million to a record 210 local police departments to conduct traffic safety enforcement, training and outreach through fall 2026.
• High-Visibility Enforcement: Using grants awarded by OGR, Massachusetts State Police (MSP) conducted 8,357 hours of high-visibility enforcement on Massachusetts roads during FY25, which ran from July 2024 to June 2025. This included 1,427 hours of enforcement conducted during national “Click It or Ticket” seat belt safety campaigns in December 2024 and June 2025.
• On Nov. 14, National Seat Belt Day, 32 State Troopers performed a total of 160 hours of traffic safety enforcement, with an emphasis on educating unrestrained drivers and passengers.
• Traffic Programs Section: The Massachusetts State Police Traffic Programs Section conducts traffic safety enforcement, education and outreach throughout the year.
• Outreach Campaign: In May, OGR issued an original PSA campaign aimed at increasing seat belt use among males and pickup truck drivers, who have historically used seat belts below the state’s average usage rate. The 2025 Seat Belt Observational Study found increased rates among both groups following the campaign’s launch.
• Community Traffic Safety Grant Program: Launched by OGR in 2024, $297,135 in continuation funding was recently awarded four nonprofits to support ongoing traffic safety outreach programs in communities that are overrepresented in traffic crash and fatality data.
• Child Passenger Safety Education and Assistance Program: In 2025, OGR provided 78 eligible public and nonprofit organizations with 3,440 child car seats to distribute and professionally install for low-income families in need. Since the beginning of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, a total of 11,240 car seats have been distributed to eligible organizations.

Traffic safety grants offered by OGR are made available using federal funds awarded by NHTSA.