Buckling up is the simplest and most effective way
to prevent death or injury in a crash.
A primary seat belt law is the simplest and most effective way
to increase seat belt use at no extra cost.
- Upgrading Minnesota’s seat belt law to primary enforcement will produce a significant ROI. It’s a no-cost big-savings law
- It will save 18 to 34 lives and prevent 233-431 life-changing injuries every year.
- It will save on health care costs.
- By upgrading to primary enforcement, Minnesota will receive between $17 and $25 million in federal incentive funds.
- It is straightforward law enforcement. Law enforcement officers can see the violation and take direct action.
- Minnesota’s seat belt law is inadequate and out of date. Minnesotans need and want a more effective law.
The Case for Primary Seat Belt Legislation
- It will save lives (18-34) and prevent life-changing injuries (233-431) every year.
- A primary seat belt law would increase Minnesota’s belt use compliance by 5 to 10 percentage points.
- States that had lower belt use than Minnesota before moving to primary seat belt laws experienced an average 11% increase in belt use by upgrading to primary.
- Even states with high belt use which upgraded to primary seat belt laws saw big increases – for instance Washington, which moved from 81% to 93%. (Washington is now at over 96%.)
- It will save on health care costs.
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, unbelted crash victims have medical bills 50% higher than belted victims.
- But that’s a conservative number. Minnesota CODES data for 2002 showed that on average, hospital costs in our state for unbelted victims were 94% greater than for belted victims.
- From 2004-2006, the estimated economic impact of more than 650 unbelted fatalities and over 1500 unbelted injuries is estimated at $834 million.
- By upgrading to primary enforcement, Minnesota will receive between $17 and $25 million in federal incentive funds.
- Having a universal primary seat belt law in force by June 30, 2008, will allow Minnesota to reap the full benefit of federal incentive funds. (NOTE: fewer funds available after FY ’08).
- The funding can be used for transportation infrastructure safety improvements as well as programs addressing high-risk driving behaviors.
- It is straightforward law enforcement. Law enforcement officers can see the violation and take direct action.
- The seat belt law is the only traffic law on the books which carries secondary enforcement. That is confusing to citizens and hampers law enforcement officers.
- Minnesotans need and want a more effective law.
- According to a 2007 Corona Research poll, almost 2/3 of Minnesotans agree that law enforcement should stop a vehicle for a seat belt violation.
- A poll conducted by AAA Clubs of Minnesota showed that almost 80% of its almost 700,000 members support upgrading Minnesota’s law to primary enforcement.
- Minnesotans care about containing and controlling health care costs. Increasing seat belt use is one way to contribute to that.
Contact the Minnesota Seat Belt Coalition by calling 651-228-7304 or 1-800-444-9150 x 304 or by e-mail at
msc@minnesotasafetycouncil.org.
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