MN Troopers to Start Extra Seat Belt Enforcement
BRAINERED - Motorists will see extra patrols as troopers, deputies and city police officers work together March 21-30 enforcing Minnesota's seat belt and child passenger restraint laws.
This extra enforcement event is a prelude to the annual May Click-it or Ticket enforcement that will be following in a few weeks, to kick off the summer safety enforcement campaigns by law enforcement.
Not only should everyone be properly buckled up, but parents of young children should make sure they are properly and consistently restraining their children so that they are safe and legal, every trip and every time.
Parents are urged to attend local child passenger safety/car seat clinics that may be held in their area, even if they think they are "doing it right".
Some Child Passenger Restraint Law Basics:
•All children under age 8 must ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat, unless the child is 4'9" or taller.
•Safety seats must be installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
•Infants (-under 20 pounds and one year of age) must be in a rear-facing safety seat.
•Law applies to all motor vehicles originally equipped with factory-installed seat belts and applies to both residents and non-residents of Minnesota.
•Law applies to all seating positions; Driver is responsible.
•Petty misdemeanor fine for violation is $50 (may be waived if violator shows proof of obtaining a safety seat within 14 days). Suspected non-use is a valid basis to stop a motor vehicle.
State Patrol Regional Public Information Officer, Sgt. Curt Mowers says, "When it comes to seat belts, we always tell people that they shouldn't be as worried about getting caught by the police, rather, they should be worried about getting caught if they are in a crash because the price they pay for being unbelted or belted improperly may be life or limb, not just a monetary fine."
More information can be obtained by going to www.bucklupkids.org.
The statewide Towards Zero Deaths (TZD) program is a formal initiative of the Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety.