Despite significant evidence that wearing a seatbelt dramatically reduces risk of fatality in car crashes, some states still do not require seatbelts and don’t have seatbelt laws. All states since 1985 do have laws requiring the use of infant seats and car seats for young children, but some and do not require seatbelts or enforce any type of seatbelt legislation. The following states do not require seatbelts: South Dakota, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and Kentucky. Relatedly, some states do not require motorcycle helmets: Colorado, Illinois and Iowa.

For some, it may be difficult to understand the arguments of states that do not require seatbelts. Essentially, the argument of such states comes down not to a dispute as to whether it’s safer to use seatbelts, but instead the reasoning tends to hinge on the concept of free choice. Some citizens are concerned that requiring seatbelts impinges on personal freedom and that the states that do not require seatbelts are merely asserting the rights of individual citizens to make their own choices. Those who argue against requiring seatbelts may say that sometimes personal responsibility has to be legislated in order to protect citizens.

Statistics show that the fatality rates in car accidents are highest on rural roads in the states that do not require drivers and passengers to wear their seatbelts. In contrast, accident fatality rates are lower in states that require strapping oneself in with a seatbelt. Still, many people ignore seatbelt laws, potentially making enforcement of seatbelt laws difficult to enforce.

Supporters of seatbelt laws may be concerned not only with seatbelt laws affecting passenger cars but school buses and public transportation as well. Policies affecting these modes of transportation is changing in many states which are moving towards the requirement that new buses feature seatbelts and that student passengers buckle up. For some parents, this change isn't occurring fast enough. Hesitation on the issue may be less about personal freedom and more about simple economics — installing seat belts on buses can be costly. Many parents counter, however, that there is no expense too great where the lives of children are concerned.