Minnesota has one of the highest seat belt adherence rates in the nation, but far too many Minnesotans are still earning citations and losing they lives because they failed to buckle up behind the wheel. Many people don’t realize that a lot of the time, you can lose out on personal injury cases if you weren’t wearing a seat belt. Those who get into an accident that isn’t their fault and was wearing a seat belt find it much easier to go to the Dominguez Firm and win their case than those who weren’t wearing seat belts. Not only is it safer but it could help you get compensation for the injuries you suffer. As summer arrives, it is even more imperative that you buckle up behind the wheel, especially considering that police officers will be adding extra seat belt enforcement patrols over the next two weeks.
According to an announcement from the Minnesota State Patrol, extra law enforcement officials will be on the road starting today looking for unbelted drivers. The extra enforcement runs from May 22 through June 4th, which covers the Memorial Day holiday weekend – often one of the most deadly stretches on Minnesota roads.
“You may be a good driver, but your final destination is never guaranteed,” Donna Berger of the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety said. “All it takes is that one time of a deer jumping out, you could roll, you could be ejected.”
Seat Belt Adherance In Minnesota
Thankfully, more Minnesotans are getting the message to buckle up each and every time they get behind the wheel. Back in 1987, there were 4,176 occupants who suffered severe injuries during a car accident. In 2015, that number dropped to just 745, and police are pointing to the state’s 93 percent self-reported adherence rate as a big reason for the decline.
Parents are also getting the message, but that’s also because they can face fines if their children aren’t buckled in. Here’s a quick overview of Minnesota’s car seat requirements for children.
- Newborns to at least 1 year and/or 20 pounds should be in rear-facing child car seats.
- From ages 2 through about 4, children should be in a forward facing child car seat.
- From ages 4 until they outgrow them (at least 8 years old or 4′ 9” tall), kids need to be in a booster seat.
- From 8 to 14, children are required to wear a seat belt, and failing to wear one can lead to a citation for the parent or guardian.
- Once a child turns 15, they will be ticketed directly, even if they are not the driver.
Seat Belt Ticket Cost
In Minnesota, a citation for failing to buckle up may be as little as $25, but like we always say, there are plenty of hidden costs. Court fees and other administrative costs can push the ticket over $100, and depending on your situation, it may also lead to increased insurance premiums. Now, this is only for this state. Any incidents that happen elsewhere will require the expertise of legal knowledge from those areas. For example, a Jonesboro Personal Injury Lawyer would be able to help in Arkansas if an accident happened due to no seat belt being buckled.
At the end of the day, don’t buckle up because you could get a fine. Buckle up because you value your life. Statistics show that you are six times more likely to be injured in a car accident if you’re not wearing a seat belt, so take two seconds and click your seat belt each and every time you get in the car, and don’t start the engine until all passengers follow suit.
If you are facing a seat belt violation charge or another traffic-related offense and want to talk with a lawyer to see if it’s worth it to fight the charge in court, don’t hesitate to reach out to Appelman Law Firm. We offer a free initial case review to help you get your bearings and understand what you’re up against without needing to commit to a lawyer. If you want to see if we’d be a good fit, click here to set up a free case review or call us at (952) 224-2277.
