The Tennessee Highway Safety Office has announced a significant increase in the state’s overall seat belt usage rate, compared to previous years. The usage rate rose from 88.5 percent in 2017 to 90.9 percent in 2018. This marks the first year Tennessee’s usage rate surpassed 90 percent. Tennessee’s 2018 usage rate also exceeded the national usage rate of 90.1 percent.
Research data was collected at 190 pre-identified roadway locations across Tennessee, with researchers observing more than 27,000 front-seat vehicle occupants.
Overall, female occupants displayed a higher usage rate of 94.8 percent than males at 88.3 percent.
Pickup trucks displayed the lowest usage rate at 84.2 percent.