Increased seat belt patrols to run statewide

Increased Click It or Ticket seat belt patrols will roll statewide from October 12-26 in an effort to stop unbelted traffic deaths, of which there were 377 during the past three years. The campaign is coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety.

Unbelted motorists have represented a significant number of Minnesota’s traffic fatalities from 2009 to 2011, with teens and young adults, and motorists in Greater Minnesota, as the main victims:

--There were 878 motorist traffic deaths of which 377 (43 percent) were not buckled up.

--80 percent of the unbelted deaths occurred outside the seven-county Twin Cities area.

--Of the 377 unbelted deaths, 179 (48 percent) of the victims were age 30 or younger; 154 (41 percent) were ages 16-29.

--Of the 108 teen vehicle occupants (ages 13-19) killed, only 35 (32 percent) were belted.

In Minnesota, drivers and passengers in all seating positions, including the back seat, are required to be buckled up or seated in the correct child restraint. Officers will stop and ticket unbelted drivers or passengers.

Seat belts must be worn correctly, low and snug across the hips; shoulder straps should never be tucked under an arm or behind the back.

“Traffic deaths are spiking in 2012, and sadly, many of the 286 deaths this year could have been prevented if the victim had buckled up,” said Donna Berger, DPS Office of Traffic Safety director.

SEAT BELT HALLOWEEN COSTUME IDEAS

DPS is also helping stumped Halloween trick-or-treaters to figure out seat belt accessorized costume ideas that spin off the classics.

For ideas, visit dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/seat-belts-air-bags/Pages/click-it-or-ticket.aspx/

WHY BUCKLE UP

In rollover crashes, unbelted motorists are usually ejected from the vehicle. In most cases, the vehicle will roll over them. Unbelted motorists often crack teeth out on steering wheels or break their nose, or even injure or kill others in the vehicle.

In a crash, the odds are six times greater for injury if a motorist is not buckled up.

KEEPING KIDS SAFE

The campaign will include enforcement of Minnesota’s child passenger safety law which makes drivers responsible for ensuring children are properly secured and riding in the correct child restraint:

--Rear-facing car seats. Use from birth and recommended up to age 2.

--Forward-facing car seats. From age 2 until child outgrows restraint.

--Booster seats. Start using around age 4; safest to ride in a booster until 4 feet 9 inches tall, or at least age 8. Boosters raise children up so the seat belt properly fits them.

For more information on child passenger safety, visit www.buckleupkids.mn.gov.

SAVING LIVES IS THE GOAL

The goal of the DPS campaign is to make motorists aware of the enforcement to encourage belt use, save lives and avoid tickets.

“The motorists we stop our not the ‘bad guys,’ they are the people we want to serve and keep safe.” said Lt. Eric Roeske of the Minnesota State Patrol.

The added enforcement is supported by a statewide ad campaign anchored by a TV spot that provides another reason to belt up: The impact of crashing at 60 mph without a seat belt is like falling from 12 stories high.

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