Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F encourages seat belt use as more fatal traffic deaths happen
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F is urging drivers and passengers to wear seat belts after they noticed a majority of fatal car crashes they responded to this year so far, the victims were not wearing seat belts.
Troop F took to X, to share their observations.
Troop F has investigated eight fatality crashes in 2024. Unfortunately, 75% of those fatally injured were not wearing a seat belt.
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) February 20, 2024
Whether you’re traveling 5 miles to school, 50 miles for work, or 500 miles on a vacation, ALWAYS BUCKLE UP!
It’s a decision you will never regret. pic.twitter.com/E374QEJS5M
In six out of eight of those fatal crashes, the victims were not wearing a seat belt.
In the past month, Troop F has also responded to 10 crashes with serious injuries.
According to Kyle Green with Troop F, seat belts serve one purpose: to keep you in your seat during a crash.
“The seat belt itself is the single most important safety feature in the car, which is why we place so much emphasis on it,“ said Green.
Green also mentioned that with the new technology modern cars have, some people may be relying on them too much.
“There are people who place a little too much emphasis on, you know, a modern car with airbags and side curtain airbags and things like that. Those are all great safety features, but ultimately they're not keeping you in your seat like the seat belt is designed,” he said.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, not wearing a seat belt during a crash can lead to severe injury or death from being thrown from the car or bouncing around inside of it upon crashing.
Preliminary data from MoDOT states that 989 traffic fatalities occurred in Missouri, a 6% decrease compared to 2022. This was the first year since 2019 that Missouri saw fewer fatal crashes.
While there was a slight dip, Green says that number has remained relatively the same for some time now.
"Throughout the years in Missouri plus or minus a couple of percent, about two out of three people killed in Missouri crashes are unrestrained. And that numbers held steady for, like I said, some years now," Green said.
Green says no matter how far you drive, everyone in the car should be buckled up.
"Whether you're driving two miles down the road to the local store or you're going on a trip across the state, make sure that you and everybody in your vehicle is buckled up," he said.
He also mentioned people avoiding seat belts for comfort reasons, however, he countered, stating that wearing a seat belt was more comfortable than being ejected from a car during a crash.
Save MO Lives says about 250 lives in Missouri would be saved each year if all drivers and passengers buckled up while out driving.
