MO Police Departments-“Youth Seat Belt Law Enforcement Campaign”

Too Many Teens Fail to Wear Seat Belts

According to Savemolives.com, 637 teens were killed or seriously injured in car crashes in 2016, in Missouri. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of those teens who died in Missouri crashes were NOT wearing a seat belt.

The “Youth Seat Belt Campaign” is an enforcement initiate where officers will be cracking down on young drivers who fail to follow the law and buckle up. It began March 15 and continues through March 31, 2017.

Even though new drivers are taught to wear seat belts, only about 70% of them actually comply daily.

The national average for teen seat belt use is 87%, so we must consider why our teens are not using their restraints and what can we do about it? Possibly, it could help if adults were better role models. Currently, Missourians overall fall below the national average. In Missouri, only about 78.8 percent of occupants adhere to the seatbelt law.

Overwhelmingly, statistics demonstrate the increased likelihood of someone surviving a motor vehicle crash if they are properly restrained.

“It Only Takes One”

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for youth ages 15-20 in Missouri and account for nearly 12.8 percent of traffic fatalities in the last three years. Other factors include inexperience, alcohol, speeding, cell phones and countless distractions. The “It Only Takes One” focuses on the fact that it only takes one text, or one drink to cause one fatal moment. Likewise, that ” one-clicked seatbelt” can be the difference between life or death in a car crash.

While police departments around the state will be issuing citations, the citations are not the goal. Rather, the goal of Missouri police departments is to raise awareness about the importance of wearing seat belts and ultimately, save more lives.

Under the Graduated License Law, teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18 are required by law to wear their seat belt. If they do not, they can be pulled over for a Primary Offense. It’s the law that we all wear our seat belts in Missouri and it is good common sense.

Car Crashes and Lack of Seat Belts

If you are in a car crash and you do not have you fail to wear your seat belt, the injuries can be far more serious. Often, occupants will be ejected from the vehicle in a crash if they are not properly restrained. Your odds of surviving a crash are greater if you remain in the vehicle. Statistically, those ejected have more serious injuries if not death.

It’s the law, buckle up.

If you are injured in a motor vehicle crash, then you will need legal representation. Don’t wait weeks and months before consulting an attorney. We are better able to assist you in the first few weeks after the crash, but you should consult an experienced car accident attorney right away.

Our attorneys are available seven days a week for free consultations.

Call us at (314) 276-1681

Source: Police departments in Missouri participate in Youth Seat Belt Law Enforcement campaign