BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – Allegan County Sheriff Frank Baker says you can expect more enforcement of seat belt laws in Michigan next year after data released recently by the Michigan State Police showed safety belt use fell slightly in 2023, to 92.4 percent, a half of a percentage point drop from the year before.
The direct observation study by Michigan State University, conducted during the months of May, June and July, showed the lowest levels since 90.5 percent in 2004, and continues a drop of two full percentage points over the past five years.
In addition, a companion survey indicated driver use of electronic devices in Michigan rose in 2023 to 8.3 percent, an 2.2 percent increase from the year before, with the study done prior to the mid-year enactment of a new state hands-free law. Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney Myrene Koch.
MSU’s safety belt use survey showed that compliance was down over eight percent in Branch County from 95.7 percent in 2022 to 87.6 percent in 2023.
Nationally, seat belt use stood at 91.6 percent.
(WHTC’s Gary Stevens contributed to this report)
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