Seatbelt Use in Delaware Up to 92 Percent

State officials say seatbelt use in Delaware has increased to 92 percent this year.

The Office of Highway Safety said Friday that last year’s seatbelt use rate was 88 percent statewide. Officials say the national rate in 2012 was 86 percent.

While officials were pleased with increased usage of seatbelts, some pointed to the percentage increase in fatalities among drivers and passengers who don’t use seatbelts.

Statistics show of the 41 drivers and passengers killed in Delaware crashes, 20, or 49 percent, were not wearing seatbelts. At this time in 2012, 20, or 43 percent, of the 47 drivers and passengers killed were not wearing seatbelts.

Delaware law requires drivers and all passengers, including those in the back seat, to wear a seatbelt.