On behalf of Restovich Braun & Associates posted in fatal motor vehicle accidents on Friday, May 22, 2015.
Drivers are constantly told that wearing seat belts can save lives. Despite this message and the fact that it is the law in the state of Minnesota, people still do not always buckle up. These people could face a greater chance of serious injury or even death should a car accident occur.
Statistics support this. So far this year in the state of Minnesota a total of 30 people involved in car accidents, without their seat belts fastened, have lost their lives. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reports that in the preceding three years, 50 percent of all of the people who died in car crashes were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.
One of the ways in which seat belts keep people safe is by preventing them from being ejected from the vehicle upon impact. A lieutenant with the State Patrol shared that in those situations it is possible that someone could be thrown between 50 and 100 feet from the vehicle. This can result in serious injuries. In contrast, those who are involved in a rollover accident while wearing a seat belt may walk away without a scratch.
Recognizing that this is an issue, the DPS recently announced a program designed to try to get more people to buckle up. Individuals who are either not wearing a seat belt correctly, or at all, could be pulled over and issued a ticket. Those who are pulled over for this could end up paying more than $100 after the ticket and associated fees are assessed. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign will run through the end of the month.