Michigan's belt use rate far exceeds the national average.  While more Americans are buckling up than ever before, the national rate stands at 83 percent of vehicle occupants using seatbelts during daylight hours. In 2007, 82 percent of the U.S. used seatbelts.

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, which tracks belt use annually, will need the full report details to determine what may have led to the increase from last year's 93.7 percent belt use rate.  Belt use may have received a bump when Michigan's new booster seat law took effect July 1 this summer.

"Enforcing the state's safety belt law is about saving lives," said Col. Peter C. Munoz, director of the Michigan State Police.  "Michigan has seen a consistent decrease in traffic deaths as belt use has increased, and we expect that trend to continue in 2009."

Safety belt enforcement zones have made the enforcement effort far more visible to motorists.  The use of a sign announcing the zone alerts all passing motorists that officers are focusing on safety belt use.

In the last five years, belt use in Michigan has risen by 12.4 percent.  That translates to an 82 percent reduction in non-use: meaning four of every five people who were not buckled up in 2003, now wear safety belts.

In 2007, Michigan was one of 10 states with a safety belt use of 90 percent or higher.  Hawaii had the highest belt use at 97.6 percent last year.