People reminded to buckle up over holidays

As the nation approaches its birthday, people are thinking about the start of picnics, parades, travel vacations and fun times with families.

The one thing that too many Montanans are not thinking about is wearing a seatbelt during their travels. That is why Buckle Up Montana Coalitions and law enforcement agencies across Montana are taking time thisFourth of of July holiday to remind people to buckle up — every one, every trip, every time.

Preliminary reports, from the Montana Highway Patrol, show that there have been 75 motor vehicle crashes between Jan 1 and June 10. These 75 motor vehicle crashes there have resulted in 84 fatalities. This number is up by 10 from this period last year. More than 75 percent of these fatalities were not wearing their safety belts.

Passengers are 25 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle if they are not wearing a seat belt. Vehicles are built with a reinforced safety cage to protect the occupants of the vehicle in the event of a crash. Within that cage is the best chance to survive a crash because there is room to live when the passengers stay in the vehicle. Wearing a seat belt properly will keep passengers inside the vehicle, therefore giving them room to live.

When used correctly, seat belts and child safety seats have proven to reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities. Seat belts are the most effective piece of safety equipment in a vehicle, but people should remember no one in the vehicle is safe unless every passenger is buckled up.

In the event of a crash, if even one passenger in the vehicle is not buckled, it puts all other passengers at risk of being critically injured by those who are unbuckled.

This Independence Day, people should celebrate the nation’s birthday with family by remembering to wear seatbelts so that they can celebrate not only the nation’s birthday but the future birthdays of those they love. Buckle up every one, every trip, every time. remember, click it, don’t risk it!

For more information, go online to http://www.buckleup.mt.gov.