The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office will join other law enforcement agencies across the state in supporting an aggressive youth seat belt mobilization campaign from March 15 to March 31.  Its goal is to crack down on Missouri’s seat belt law violators and to reduce highway fatalities.

Only 67 percent of Missouri teens wear their seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle.  Eight out of 10 teens killed in traffic accidents are found without a seat belt on. Under the Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) law, teens are required to wear their seat belt as it’s a primary offense, meaning they can be pulled over solely for not wearing their seat belt.

“Local motorists should be prepared for stepped up seat belt enforcement,” said Sheriff Scott Keeler.  “Law enforcement will be out there to remind you that seat belts can and do save lives.”

The sheriff noted seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.