As Jan. 1 approaches, people everywhere will make New Year’s resolutions. They will vow to quit smoking, lose 20 pounds, begin an exercise program, or save money, to name a few. With great jest and newness, the goals set on the first of each year are like a breath of fresh air. Safe Communities of Wright County asks you to consider adding one very simple resolution to your New Year’s Day vows: The vow to always wear your seat belt. Why would Safe Communities ask you to wear your seat belt? o Wearing your seat belt and having children restrained in properly fitted car seats are the best defense against a drunk or impaired driver. o Of the 544 motor vehicle occupants killed in Minnesota in 2002, only 206 (38 percent) were belted. More than half of those who were not belted were partially or fully ejected from the vehicle, and died as a result. o Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for Minnesota’s 15- to 17-year-olds – more than the next three leading causes combined (suicide, homicide and accidents). Of the 54 crash fatalities in that age group last year, only one in four were wearing belts. o Of those severely injured in a motor vehicle crash, only 1,022 (46 percent) were reported to have used their seat belts. Lower seat belt use directly correlates to more serious injury levels. o The Minnesota Department of Traffic Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety estimates that increasing the belt use rate to 85 percent could save 51 lives, prevent nearly a 1,000 injuries and save $88 million annually. o An American Academy of Pediatrics study shows a correlation between driver seat belt use and child restraint use. When a driver buckles up, child passengers are restrained nearly 90 percent of the time. When a driver does not buckle up, children are restrained only one-quarter of the time. We know that buckling your seat belt every single time you get into a motor vehicle doesn’t sound as exciting as wearing a smaller size of jeans or never having to hide your cigarette breath from your boyfriend, spouse or children. We’re not asking you to buckle up instead of doing something else that will make you feel better or save your life. We’re asking you to buckle up in addition to these others things because it is the easiest thing you can do for yourself and your family in 2004. Seat belts save lives. Safe Communities of Wright County wants you to be around next year. Please buckle up, always! For more information on aggressive driving, road rage or other traffic safety issues, contact Safe Communities of Wright County at (763) 241-9888 or visit www.safecomm. org. Safe Communities of Wright County is a collaborative effort focused on reducing crashes in Wright County through safety education and prevention.
