BLAINE, Minn. (May 24, 2018) – Looking around, it doesn’t take long to find a distracted driver drifting over the fog line. Many Minnesotans also know that heartbeat-skipping moment when a vehicle pulls out in front of them, when a deer comes out of nowhere or when a road-rage driver follows dangerously close. The first line of protection against all of those dangers is a seat belt.
To remind motorists that seat belts save lives and enforce the law, more than 300 law enforcement agencies across the state will participate in the Click It or Ticket campaign through June 3. The Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) coordinates the extra enforcement and education campaign.
Good News and Bad News
Fortunately, most Minnesotans are making the life-saving decision to buckle up.
- According to the 2016 Minnesota Observational Seat Belt Survey, 93 percent of front seat occupants were wearing their seat belts.
- Since 1987, motor vehicle occupant serious injuries have decreased 82 percent.
- For those choosing not to buckle up, the results are tragically hurting families across Minnesota.
- Over a five year period (2011-2015), 152 unbelted motorists lost their lives during the 100 deadliest days on Minnesota roads (Memorial Day – Labor Day).
- In 2016, 79 unbelted motorists died on Minnesota roads.
- In 2015, 87 percent of the unbelted deaths occurred in Greater Minnesota (outside the seven-county Metro area)
It’s the Law
Minnesota law states that drivers and passengers in all seating positions must 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, and shoulder straps should never be tucked under an arm or behind the back.
Minnesota Child Car Seat Law and Steps
- In Minnesota, the law requires that all children must be in a child restraint until they are 4’9” tall or at least age 8, whichever comes first.
- Rear-facing child seats – Newborns to at least 1 year and 20 pounds and recommended up to age 2. It is safest to keep a child rear-facing as long as possible.
- Forward-facing seats – Age 2 until around age 4. It’s preferable to keep children in a harnessed restraint until they reach the maximum weight limit.
- Booster seats – Use after outgrowing a forward-facing harnessed restraint; safest to remain in a booster until 4 feet 9 inches tall, or at least age 8, whichever comes first.
- Seat belts – Use when children can sit with their back against the seat and have their knees bent comfortably over the edge with their feet touching the floor
