There have been a number of blog posts about the national increased use of seat belts. Minnesota just reported the best numbers we have seen ever. This is great news and means more people making it home alive after saver crashes. Statewide from 2006 to 2008, 1,097 vehicle occupants died in crashes, and 539 were not buckled up.
At the same time, there was recently a report abut the high percentage of deaths on rural roads. Speculation has involved the usual suspects of speeding, drinking, and inexperience drivers. A deeper look into the seat belt report, may have the best answer.
Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd, Faribault, Cass, Wright, and Beltrami counties had the highest percentage of non seatbelt users in the State. Hopefully, with increased education these numbers can be improved.
