Major seat belt enforcement to start Oct. 12
The Pioneer Press reported that Minnesota police officers from around the state launched a 10-day safety belt enforcement campaign Friday.
Within the campaign period, officers are expected to actively enforce the safety-belt laws. A safety belt citation is $25, but has the potential to be up to $110 with court and administrative fees attached.
Up to 400 law enforcement agencies from across the state are expected to participate in the "Click it or Ticket" campaign that runs through Oct. 21.
The campaign is driven by the stagering amount of deaths from automobile accidents in which safety belts were not worn. Between 2002 and 2006, more than half (1, 214) of the occupants invloved in a state record 2,344 fatal vehicle accidents were not buckled up. The Savage Pacer reported that the Department of Public Safety estimated that nearly half of those victims would have survived if they were wearing their safety belt.
“It’s time motorists realize that wearing a seat belt is the norm in Minnesota, and for good reason,� said Savage police Sgt. Mike Schlitz. “Buckling up simply gives you a greater chance of surviving a crash.�