Research Reports
Report Details
Final Report Abstract
North Dakota’s seat belt use study provides statistically reliable data from a field survey of driver and right front-seat passenger seat belt use. These data can be used to develop generalizations, comparative analyses, and recommendations. This National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) is based on national standards for survey design and field observation protocol. It provides the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) with a systematic evaluation of seat belt use rates within the state. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) funds NOPUS through NDDOT’s Highway Safety Division.
During the week of June 7-13, 2026, trained observers visited 320 sites across 16 counties to collect seat belt use observations for drivers and right front-seat passengers in vehicles with gross vehicle weights up to 10,000 lbs. Data were collected for 14,822 drivers and 2,076 right front-seat passengers for a total of 16,898 vehicle occupants. Based on the sampling methodology weighting procedures, the final estimate for statewide seat belt use was 85.8%.
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