VANCOUVER, Wash. - The Washington Traffic Safety Commission says the state is no longer tops when it comes to motorists and passengers obeying seat-belt laws.

Commission communications manager M.J. Haught said observational studies nationwide have shown that Washington state's rate -- 96.5 percent last year -- is the highest it's ever been, with five years of steady improvement. But Haught said Michigan and Hawaii beat Washington out, with 97. 2 and 97.0, respectively.

John Moffat, the region's administrator with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, noted unbuckled people get hurt worse in traffic accidents.

In a bulletin, Moffat said, "An unbelted vehicle occupant's medical costs average $11,000 more per collision than those of a belted vehicle occupant's."