TRENTON, N.J. – Nearly 95% of New Jersey drivers and front-seat passengers are now buckling up, marking one of the state’s highest seat belt usage rates on record following this year’s “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign, officials announced.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Michael J. Rizol Jr., Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, said the 2025 campaign produced one of the strongest post-enforcement compliance gains in recent years, pushing New Jersey well above the most recent national average of 91.2%.
According to the state’s annual observational survey, overall front-seat occupant seat belt usage rose to 94.97%, up from 90.51% in 2024. Driver usage increased to 95.11%, while front-seat passenger compliance rose to 94.22%. Sport utility vehicles showed the highest adherence, with a usage rate of 96.56%.
Platkin credited coordinated law enforcement and public education efforts for the improvement, noting that the campaign demonstrates the life-saving impact of consistent seat belt use. Rizol emphasized that even incremental gains are critical, as nearly half of all vehicle fatalities still involve unbelted occupants.
The survey, conducted by the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the Department of Law and Public Safety under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guidelines, found notable gains across all categories of vehicles and road types. Union County reported the highest overall compliance, with driver usage at nearly 98%, while Monmouth County led among front-seat passengers at 98.97%.
Primary roads recorded the highest overall belt use, while local roads had slightly lower rates, though all remained above 93%.
Data were collected following the May 12 through June 1 “Click It or Ticket” campaign, using a federally approved sampling design to ensure statewide representation.
