Law enforcement launches campaign to increase seat belt use among teens

JEFFERON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jefferson City Police along with other law enforcement agencies are joining together to put more focus on youth driving safety  in Mid- Missouri to help increase seat belt use among teens and to reduce deaths on the roads.

The effort is a part of law enforcement's "Youth Seat Belt Enforcement Campaign" that is scheduled to take place between April 1. through April 15.

According to law enforcement, about 72% percent of Missouri teens wear seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle.

Under the Graduated Diver’s License (GDL) law, which refers to drivers ages 15 to 18-years-old, are required to wear their seat belts as well as all passengers in the vehicle for their driver's license to be valid.

According to law enforcement, using a seat belt is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. 

According to the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, a seatbelt reduces the risk of fatal injury by 42%. Meanwhile, in 2021 68% of teen occupants killed in crashes were not wearing a seat belt.