The New Jersey’s seat belt usage rate has risen significantly following the state-wide Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign last year, according to the state’s annual observational survey.
The survey – submitted by the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety – showed that nearly 95% of front-seat occupants wear a seat belt. The increase reflects one of the strongest post-campaign compliance gains in recent years and places the state well above the most recently reported national seat belt usage rate of 91.2%.
“Seat belts save lives,” said Attorney General Matthew Platkin in a press release, “and we are committed to ensuring that this message gets through to … drivers. Nearly 95% of New Jersey drivers and front-seat passengers are buckling up, and that’s a marked increase over the previous year.”
The annual observational survey – submitted in accordance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Uniform Criteria – recorded an overall front-seat occupant usage rate of 94.97% in 2025, compared with 90.51% in 2024. Driver use rose to 95.11% from 90.86%, and front-seat passenger use increased to 94.22% from 89.10%. SUVs again demonstrated the highest compliance, with a rate of 96.56%.
The survey revealed significant progress at the county level: Burlington, Union and Passaic counties posted the largest increases in front-seat passenger usage. Rates varied by road type as well; the highest rates for front-seat occupants and drivers were observed on primary roads, while front-seat passengers demonstrated the highest usage on secondary roads. Local roads all remained above 93%.
The survey was conducted following the state enforcement campaign from May 12 through June 1 of 2025. New Jersey’s federally approved survey design is a representative sampling of usage across road types and counties and ensures roadway and site selections are refreshed at least every five years, as required by federal regulation.
