Title page
Contents
Definitions 7
Executive Summary 9
Introduction 11
Demographic Results in Front Seats 12
Age 12
Sex 13
Race 13
Presence of Passengers and Seat Belt Use 14
Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats 17
Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats Versus in Front Seats 17
State Laws and Rear-Seat Belt Use 17
Child Restraint Use 20
Child Restraint Use Among All Children Under 8 Years Old 20
Child Rear Seat Placement 21
Child Restraint Use by Region 22
Child Restraint Use by Time of Week 23
Child Restraint Use by Vehicle Type 23
Child Restraint Use by Driver Type and Belt Use Status 24
NOPUS Methodology 31
Sample Design 31
Data Collection 32
Estimation 33
References 34
Table 1. Passenger Vehicle Occupant Seat Belt Use in Front Seats (Ages 8 and Older) by Demographic and Other Characteristics 15
Table 2. States With Laws Requiring Seat Belts Be Used in All Seating Positions 18
Table 3. Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats (8 and Older) of Passenger Vehicles, by Major Characteristics 19
Table 4. States With Laws Requiring Children 5 and Younger to Be in Rear Seats 21
Table 5. Child Restraint Use in Passenger Motor Vehicles, by Major Characteristics 25
Table 6. The Percentage of Children Who Rode in Rear Seats, by Major Characteristics 27
Table 7. Child Restraint Use in Passenger Motor Vehicles, by Age and Other Characteristics 29
Table 8. Sites, Vehicles, and Occupants in the 2021 NOPUS Controlled Intersection Study 32
Figure 1. Seat Belt Use by Age for Occupants 8 and Older in 2020 and 2021 12
Figure 2. Seat Belt Use by Age for Occupants 8 and Older, 2012-2020 12
Figure 3. Seat Belt Use by Sex for Occupants 8 and Older, 2012-2021 13
Figure 4. Seat Belt Use by Race for Occupants 8 and Older, 2012-2021 13
Figure 5. Passenger Effect on Seat Belt Use for Occupants 8 and Older, 2012-2021 14
Figure 6. Seat Belt Use by Seating Position for Occupants 8 and Older, 2012-2021 17
Figure 7. Seat Belt Use in Rear Seats by State Law Type for Occupants 8 and Older, 2012-2021 18
Figure 8. Child Restraint Use Among Children Under 8 Years Old, 2012-2021 20
Figure 9. Child Rear Seat Placement, 2012-2021 21
Figure 10. Child Restraint Use by Region in 2020 and 2021 22
Figure 11. Child Restraint Use by Region, 2012-2021 22
Figure 12. Child Restraint Use by Time of Week in 2020 and 2021 23
Figure 13. Child Restraint Use by Vehicle Type in 2020 and 2021 23
Figure 14. Child Restraint Use by Driver Belt Status, 2012-2021 24