Statistics

• Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of a fatal injury for front seat passengers by 45 percent. In states that have primary seat belt laws, 10 percent more drivers use seat belts than in states without primary seat belt laws.
  
  

States and Territories

• Over half the states and territories in the country have primary seat belt laws. They are Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, California, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virgin Islands and Washington.
  
  

Exceptions

• Every state in the country has a seat belt law, except for New Hampshire. New Hampshire does have a primary child passenger safety law covering kids younger than 18.
  
  

Warning

• Just because a state doesn't have a primary seat belt law doesn't mean you don't have to wear one. You can still be ticketed for not wearing a seat belt if you are pulled over for another reason.
  
  

Tip

• Some insurance companies will give you a discount if you say you wear your seat belt every time you drive. Injuries for those not wearing seat belts cost insurance companies more.