The number of unbuckled fatalities is on the rise. To save lives by encouraging Montanans to buckle up, law enforcement will increase patrols on Montana roads through the end of the month and over Memorial Day weekend. Preliminary numbers show 77 percent of those who died in crashes on Montana roads this year were not wearing seat belts - an increase of 30 percent from the same time period last year.
“Montanans have a free and adventurous spirit, but sometimes that gets us into major trouble; sometimes it costs us lives,” said Montana Department of Transportation Director Tim Reardon. “MDT is dedicated to increasing seatbelt use. Buckling up is absolutely the simplest and most effective thing Montanans can do to save lives on the road.”
Since the beginning of the year, 39 of the 51 occupant fatalities in motor vehicle crashes in Montana were not wearing seat belts. The number of fatal crashes, accidents in which one or more fatalities have occurred is also on the rise - up 43 percent from this time last year. In the United States, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young people age 4 to 34 and represent the highest percentage of fatalities in Montana.
”The statistics are not going in the direction we like to see,” said Reardon. “We’re urging Montanans, especially young adults, to reverse this deadly trend and make one of the busiest driving times of the year one of the safest.”
Reardon added that he hopes the increased law enforcement presence will encourage people to follow the law. Montana law requires all drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. While drivers cannot be pulled over solely for violating the seat belt law, they will be fined $20 per unrestrained occupant if stopped for another violation and seat belts aren’t being worn.
Drivers will also be fined $100 for each child not restrained properly. Each child under age six and weighing less than 60 pounds is required by Montana law to be properly restrained in a child safety seat. Research shows that keeping children in booster seats until they are 4 feet, 9inches tall keeps them safer. Children under age 13 should always ride in the back seat.
Reader Comments(0)