Safety Belt Use

The safety belt use accounts for the percent of drivers observed wearing a safety belt. The figures were captured through an observational survey following National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) procedures in determining the outboard, front-seat occupant belt use rate.

Methodology

Methodology: Safety Belt Use

The 2022 Florida survey included 165 newly selected sites across 15 counties. These sites were selected randomly to represent all the traffic on various roadway types around the State of Florida. The same sites were revisited for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 surveys. Data collection for the 2025 survey began May 30th and was completed on June 5th.

Observations were randomly scheduled for all days of the week during daylight hours, between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. One-hour observations took place at each site. During those observations, observers recorded information on vehicle type, driver sex, driver race, estimated driver age group, and driver safety belt use. When an outboard passenger was present in the front seat, observers also recorded information on passenger sex, race, age, and belt use.

Calculation

`"Safety Belt Use" = (∑"Observed Safety-Belt-Using Drivers and Passengers")/("Total Observations") × "100"`

Reporting Periods

  • Peak Hour
  • Peak Period
  • Daily
  • Yearly
Download Data

Date of last refresh: 12/08/2025

SOURCE

FDOT State Safety Office - Florida Safety Belt Use Reports