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 Sheriff’s Office, Cloquet Police Department, and Fond du Lac Tribal Police Department are joining law enforcement agencies statewide in extra seat belt patrols May 24 through June 6. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety coordinates the campaign and the funding is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Adults must take the time to correctly use child restraints, teach children the value of buckling up and model seat belt use. From 2016 through 2020 a total of 20 children (up to age 7) were killed in motor vehicles. Eight of the victims were properly secured, eight were not properly restrained, and restraint use was unknown in four fatalities.