How Do Seat Belts Save Lives? Duluth Police Focuses On Seatbelt Enforcement This Month

Wearing a seat belt in a vehicle is the single greatest way to help prevent injury during an accident.  It's also the law.  During the month of October, Duluth Police will focus their enforcement on seat belt infractions to help shine the spotlight on their importance.

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, about 150 deaths and more than 400 serious injuries occur on average in the state due to motorists or passengers not wearing their seat belts. In the state, seat belt use is a primary offense, meaning drivers and passengers in all seating positions including in the backseat must be buckled up or in the correct child restraint.

Proper use is also important.  The primary means of protection that seat belts offer is keeping motorists and passengers restrained in the vehicle’s designed protective space, giving them room to live in the event of a crash. Seat belts also keep a motorist correctly positioned behind the wheel to help maintain control of a vehicle.

While the police are always on the lookout for seat belt infractions, they are focusing their efforts during October by stopping and ticketing those who are not properly buckled up.