St. Peters to participate in youth seat belt enforcement

The St. Peters Police Department is joining with statewide law enforcement March 15 through March 31 for an aggressive youth seat belt mobilization to crack down on Missouri’s seat belt law violators and to reduce highway fatalities.

Police report only 66 percent of Missouri teens wear their seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle and eight out of 10 teens killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled.

Under the Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) law, teens are required to wear their seat belt as it is a primary offense, meaning they can be pulled over solely for not wearing their seat belt.

“Local motorists should be prepared for stepped up seat belt enforcement,” said Chief Tom Bishop. “We’ll be out there to remind you seat belts can, and do save lives.”

Seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.

Buckle Up and Arrive Alive.  For information on Missouri seat belt usage, visit www.saveMOlives.com.