Hiway Federal Credit Union has joined the Minnesota Department of Public safety in support of the Minnesota Primary Seat Belt Law. Without question, a primary seat belt law will save lives and prevent serious injuries in Minnesota. Each year, more than half of Minnesota vehicle occupants killed in crashes are unrestrained. Studies have shown that a primary law is expected to increase seat belt use from 5 to 10 percentage points — saving 18 to 34 lives a year and preventing from 233 up to 431 life-changing injuries in Minnesota annually.
Minnesota Secondary Seat Belt Law
Minn. Stat. 169.686 requires that a fastened seat belt be worn by: 1) the driver; 2) a passenger riding in the front seat; and 3) passengers in the rear seats who are older than three but younger than 11 years of age. (Note: those older than 11 are not required to wear a seat belt in the back seats.)
As a secondary law, law enforcement can not pull a car over for a seat belt violation. Instead, a primary traffic offense must first occur and an additional citation may be given for not wearing a seat belt.
Upgrading to Primary Seat Belt Law
Upgrading the above secondary law to a universal, primary law requires every person in the vehicle in every position to buckle up and allows law enforcement officers to enforce the seat belt law just as they do any other traffic law. A driver who is unbelted may be pulled over and receive a citation.
Show your Support
If you would like to join in support of the Primary Seat Belt Law, be sure to contact (e.g., visit, e-mail, or phone) your district representative and senator to express your support and request their support of primary seat belt law. The Minnesota District Finder can assist you in locating the contact information for your district representative and senator.
For more information on the primary Seat Belt Law and other traffic safety tips and resources, visit www.dps.state.mn.us/ots.