Area law enforcement will focus on seat belt compliance

Minnesota motorists are known for their high seat-belt compliance rate, but a disturbing development is taking place on Minnesota roads. Between Jan. 1 and April 22, preliminary reports show 31 unbelted motorists died this year, the highest number of year-to-date unbelted traffic fatalities since 2012.

This loss of life comes after a deadly 2020 when 112 unbelted motorists died on Minnesota roads compared to 73 in 2019. The 112 unbelted motorist deaths in 2020 were also the highest since 2012, when there were 116.

To remind motorists about the importance of buckling up, the Carlton County Sher...