Annually, nearly 80 percent of unbelted traffic deaths in Minnesota occur on rural roads. In the 11-county southeast Minnesota region, unbelted motor-vehicle fatalities in 2007 attributed to 28 (56 percent) of the total 50 fatal crashes. The proportions of fatal crashes during the day and at night are almost equal in southeast Minnesota. Lack of seat belt use in southeast Minnesota during 2007 was also linked with 809 serious injury crashes among 301 females and 508 males.

During 2007, Freeborn County reported a total of two fatal motor-vehicle crashes with two unbelted fatalities. In Freeborn County, the number of unbelted males and females in serious injury crashes during 2007 was 12 and 23, respectively.

The reasons all drivers and passengers in motor vehicles should buckle up are many. Seat belts are the most effective safety devices in vehicles. In potentially fatal frontal crashes, they increase your chance of survival by 45 percent in a car and 60 percent in a light truck. Wearing seat belts reduces the risk of injury or death because it keeps you in the vehicle, keeps you from injuring yourself or others during a crash, and positions your body so that air bags work effectively.

Wearing a seat belt also saves you and your fellow Minnesotans money. During 2005-2007, the economic impact of unbelted traffic deaths and injuries to Minnesota was $1.1 billion which translates into $500 per household. Of all Minnesota traffic crashes, 74 percent of all associated costs are paid by citizens not involved in the crashes.

Another reason to put on your belt and encourage others to do so is because it is the law. Effective June 9, 2009, Minnesota law required every vehicle occupant to wear a seat belt regardless of age or seating position. Each violation of the law will result in a minimum $25 penalty.

For those Minnesotans who already wear seat belts faithfully, we traffic safety professionals thank you and hope you keep up the good habit. If you don’t currently buckle-up, please reconsider and join the majority of us that do buckle-up every time.

Michelle Severtson

Freeborn County Toward Zero Deaths Committee

Albert Lea