The South Dakota Department of Public Safety says there has been a significant bump in the number of drivers who die because they crash while not wearing a seat belt this year.
Public Safety Department Secretary Trevor Jones said that 83 percent of deaths from car crashes as of April 9 involved an un-belted victim.
That’s up from about 60 percent in previous years.
So far this year there have been 18 deaths reported from car crashes in South Dakota. Of those, 15 of the victims weren’t restrained.
Jones says neglecting to wear a seat belt means drivers are more likely to be thrown from a car during a crash.
The Highway Patrol is reminding motorists that state law requires drivers and front seat passengers to buckle up.
Topics Personal Auto
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