Nearly 87 percent of Utahns use seat belts, compared with 82 percent nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which issued its 2005 report on seat belts Friday. Usage across the United States rose this year, the report says, to a record high.

"We're pleased with the numbers," said Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Wade Breur. "However, we know that there's more to be done with seat belts. The work's not done until there's 100 percent total compliance."

The rate of seat belt use has risen from about 67 percent in 1998, the report says, and the Beehive State is one of 34 in the nation with rates higher than the previous year.

"It's good to see more people taking their safety seriously, but we'll save the celebration for the day when everyone buckles up," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta.

Mississippi reported the lowest usage rate at about 61 percent, while Hawaii reported the highest rate: 95.3 percent.

Utah has a secondary seat belt law, meaning that law enforcement officials cannot pull over an adult driver simply for not wearing a seat belt. But a driver can be ticketed for seat-belt violations if pulled over for another infraction.

At a national usage rate of 82 percent, the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that seat belts annually are preventing 15,700 fatalities, 350,000 serious injuries and some $67 billion in economic costs related to traffic injuries and deaths.