A recent survey of Missouri motorists shows that more Missourians are buckling up - that's great news!But are we where we need to be?
The national average for seat belt use is 85 percent -- even with the recent three-percent jump in Missouri, we're still at 79 percent. How comfortable are we to know that 21 percent of motorists in our state face ejection from their vehicle if a traffic crash occurs?
Some vehicle types stand out when looking at seat belt use. For example, pickup truck drivers are among the worst with only 66 percent buckling up. Considering those rockin' trucks also have an affinity to roll, that makes quite a bumpy ride (or flight) for that unrestrained driver.
MoDOT continues to support the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety to support seat belt use and work to make sure everyone makes it click when they hit the road. A primary seat belt law would likely raise our percentage and save lives - 32 states already have this.
In the meantime, make sure you and your passengers are buckled every trip, every time. Learn more about seat belt safety in Missouri at www.savemolives.com.
