KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Tuesday, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) shared data from a study by Michigan State University, which indicated seatbelt usage is on the decline.
The data suggests that seatbelt usage decreased from 94.4 percent in 2019 to 92.6 percent in 2021.
Officials say this is the state’s lowest seat belt compliance rate since 2004, and traffic safety advocates are concerned.
On Wednesday, Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller spoke with WKZO on these numbers.
“It is not a good thing, in fact we’ve seen some very serious accidents that have led to fatalities in this area alone, just in the last month, and it was partly due to the fact that the persons were not wearing safety belts,” Fuller said.
Speaking on the study by MSU, Fuller is concerned about the data, confirming the findings.
“We know that seatbelts save lives, the study shows the usage in Michigan is about 92 percent,” Fuller said. “That’s a serious thing, because we also know that every one percent down, that’s ten more lives lost. Here in Michigan, we’re asking everybody to remember the importance of buckling up.”
To view the study, click here.
To listen to the complete interview with Sheriff Fuller, click here.
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