Minnesota State Patrol: Unbelted Vehicle Deaths Preventable

The State Patrol says more than 400 people who died on Minnesota roads in the last three years weren’t wearing seat belts.

State transportation officials are renewing their request for drivers and passengers to buckle up. A statewide enforcement effort begins this weekend to increase seat belt use.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s traffic safety office says 814 injured on state roads from 2008 to 2010 weren’t wearing seat belts.

The State Patrol is urging drivers to speak up and ask those in their vehicle to put on their seat belts. Lt. Eric Roeske says that may not be the easiest thing to do, but it’s a lot easier than dealing with the consequences should there be an accident.

The state’s Click It or Ticket campaign runs through Oct. 27.