Starting today, June 9th, 2009, the city of Moorhead, where I reside, as well as the state of Minnesota, will be implementing a new law.  Effective in Minnesota today, any passenger in a car, must be buckled in to a seat belt.  It’s time to Click it or Ticket.  If you’re one of those who try to throw the chest belt behind your back, for comfort, you can still be ticketed!

This law will replace a more than 20-year-old secondary seat belt law that allows officers to ticket someone for not wearing a seat belt only if they first witness a moving violation.  The previous law also only required that the driver, a front-seat passenger and a passenger in any seat between three and 11 years old wear a seat belt. The new law requires all passengers – regardless of age or seating position – to wear a seat belt. Violators will face a $25 fine.

I’m sure you’re all aware that this for the safety of each of us!  I’ve heard plenty of stories of people who have died after being thrown from a vehicle or people who have had life altering injuries after being injured in an accident where they did not have their seat belt on!   Even though there will always be the argument where someone lived, only because they did not have their seat belt on, I think you’ll agree that those cases are far and few between.

I think the thing that people don’t realize is that for every person who dies in a car accident, or is badly injured, there are family members who are dramatically affected.  Imagine the little kids who have to be told that their dad isn’t coming home again because he chose not to buckle his seat belt.  Or the mother and father who have to bury their teenager for the same reason.  It really is a simple thing to do to protect yourself while driving inside of a 1000 pounds of steel.

Remember,  YOU are the role model for the child who is watching YOU each time you get in a car.  A child who is raised watching an adult always buckle up, doesn’t know any different.  They will grow up learning to always buckle up because they have learned from you.  Now that’s something to be proud of!

I feel that Minnesota has made the right decision in putting this bill in to effect.  Do you?

If you are interested in local information for the Fargo-Moorhead area, click on www.directoryoffargomoorhead.com.