Proctor Journal

ST. PAUL — In the midst of a statewide Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement

campaign running through Oct. 22, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS)

announced the Minnesota counties with the highest percentage of unbelted traffic

deaths based on total number of vehicle occupant deaths. DPS identifies specific

pockets of the state with an overrepresentation of unbelted deaths — all in Greater

Minnesota, where a vast majority of unbelted traffic deaths occur each year.

Each year, more than half of Minnesota traffic deaths are unbelted. During 2006–

2008, 1,097 vehicle occupants were killed in crashes and 539 were not buckled up.

Research indicates this is a conservative number as belt use is “unknown” in about

10 percent of fatal crashes each year. DPS estimates a majority of the unknown

fatalities are unbelted. DPS last week announced Minnesota motorists’ daytime belt

use compliance is 90 percent based on an observation survey.

“Regardless of our record-high seat belt use rate, it’s clear far too many motorists

are still traveling not buckled up and are paying the ultimate price,” says Cheri

Marti, director of DPS Office of Traffic Safety. “The results from this county data

reveal why education and enforcement of the primary seat belt law is so valuable to

further increase belt compliance.”

Minnesota Counties with the Highest Percentage of Unbelted Fatalities, 2006–2008:

A pod of six south central counties including a block bordering Iowa combined for

59 vehicle occupant deaths of which 35 were not belted (59 percent): Faribault (8

vehicle occupant deaths–5 unbelted); Freeborn (15–8), Martin (8–5), Mower (8–5),

Steele (13–7) and Waseca (7–5).

In central Minnesota four counties combined for 45 vehicle occupant deaths of

which 34 were not buckled up (75 percent): Kanabec (4–4), Mille Lacs (16–13),

Morrison (17–12) and Todd (8–5).

Among four north central Minnesota counties there were 52 vehicle occupant deaths

and 33 were not belted (63 percent): Aitkin (8–5), Beltrami (12–8), Cass (15–8) and

Itasca (17–12).

Other counties with an overrepresentation of unbelted traffic deaths include the

counties of Clay (15–10), Carlton (10–6), Pennington (5–5), Red Lake (4–4), Renville

(8–6) and Wright (34–22).

Minnesota Counties with Lowest Percentage of Unbelted Fatalities, 2006–2008

(counties with fewer than 8 deaths not listed):

Carver (22–8), Chisago (23–8), Douglas (21–6), Lyon (9–3), Otter Tail (10–3), Scott

(26–8), Sherburne (16–5) and Wabasha (8–2).

Unbelted statistics for metro counties are: Anoka (43–23), Dakota (46–18), Hennepin

(102–40), Ramsey (37–19) and Washington (30–10).

Around 400 Minnesota law enforcement agencies are participating in the Oct. 9–22

Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign — the first full-scale enforcement

since the primary seat belt law became effective June 9. The primary law states

drivers and all passengers — including in the back seat — must be buckled up or in

the correct child restraint. Law enforcement can stop motorists solely for seat belt

violations, including unbelted passengers.