Minn. Public Safety Survey Says Minnesotans Buckle Up

The Department of Public Safety said Tuesday the number of Minnesotans wearing seat belts has risen dramatically, with 88 percent of vehicle occupants now using them.

The department said a survey revealed that seat belt use rose 5 percent in 2007, up from 83 percent last year.

Officials cite several factors: increased education, heightened concern for safety and increased enforcement of the state’s seat belt laws. They also said public reaction to the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge likely played a key role.

Minnesota law requires vehicle occupants in the front seat and anybody between ages of 3 and 11 in any seat to wear a seat belt.

Unbelted vehicle occupants account for about half of Minnesota’s motor vehicle deaths.