New data released Tuesday from a statewide seatbelt enforcement campaign shows some Minnesotans still aren't buckling up.
The weeklong enforcement campaign running September 21 through 27 resulted in nearly 1,000 people getting cited statewide for not wearing a seatbelt or properly securing children.
“These citations serve as a powerful reminder for every driver and parent to pause and make a life-saving choice,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson. “The data is clear—seat belts and proper child restraints save lives.”
St. Paul police issued 92 seat belt citations, the most in the metro, while the Minnesota State Patrol district in Brainerd issued 65 citations, the most in rural Minnesota.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provided campaign funding for overtime enforcement and awareness in support of the Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program.
The full campaign results can be seen here.
Top agencies – seat belt citations:
Metro-area citations
92: St. Paul Police Department
77: Minnesota State Patrol west metro district
60: Minnesota State Patrol east metro district
Greater Minnesota citations
65: Minnesota State Patrol Brainerd district
55: Minnesota State Patrol Virginia district
52: Minnesota State Patrol Duluth district
48: Minnesota State Patrol Thief River Falls district
39: Minnesota State Patrol St. Cloud district
Top agencies – child restraint citations
9: Minnesota State Patrol west metro district
6: Minnesota State Patrol east metro district
2: Rock County Sheriff’s Office
2: Marshall Police Department
2: Richfield Police Department