WILLMAR -- Law enforcement agencies across Minnesota are ushering in the Halloween season with a scare of their own this year, promising an increase in traffic law enforcement focusing on seatbelt use.
Beginning today as part of the Safe and Sober campaign and Toward Zero Deaths initiative, law enforcement agencies across the state will increase enforcement of traffic law through Oct. 30. More than 400 Minnesota law enforcement agencies are participating in the traffic campaign.
According to a news release from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the campaign comes on the heels of a two-week study of nearly 14,000 motorists in 37 counties that revealed that the state's overall belt use rate dropped from a record-high 84 percent in 2005 to 83 percent. Young drivers showed more of a decline, dipping from 79 percent to 74 percent.
In comparison, traffic deaths at this point in the year are down about 11 percent from this time last year. If the trend continues, it will be the lowest number of deaths in the state since 1945, according to the release.
Law enforcement agencies from Kandiyohi, Chippewa, Stearns and Yellow Medicine counties and the Minnesota State Patrol are participating in the increased efforts.
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Much of the focus centers on increasing seatbelt use -- failure to use seatbelts accounted for around 52 percent of rural traffic deaths in Minnesota in 2005. According to a news release from the Kandiyohi County law enforcement agencies, tickets for seatbelt violations can cost as much as $115.
