NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
Q11084
November 10, 2008
EMPHASIS: Recent Fatal Traffic Crashes Emphasize Importance Of Paying Attention/Seat Belts


Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to remind the public of the importance of driving attentively and wearing a seat belt.

According to preliminary reports, 10 people died in Missouri traffic crashes during the period of November 6-9, 2008. Nine of them were not wearing a seat belt and one was undetermined regarding seat belt use at the time of the crash. In six of the crashes, the fatalities were ejected from the vehicle. Eight of the crashes involved vehicles leaving the roadway and striking an object and/or overturning.

The Patrol wants to remind motorists of the upcoming holiday seasons. Many Missourians will be traveling to visit friends and family at some time during the next few months. Drivers are urged to pay attention to the job of driving, and to buckle up. Inattention continues to be the leading cause of traffic crashes in Missouri. This coupled with not wearing a seat belt greatly increases the risk of a traffic crash being fatal. In 2007, a driver in a Missouri traffic crash had a one in 32 chance of being killed if they were not wearing a seat belt. In those cases where a driver wore a seat belt, their chance of being killed was 1 in 1,294.

Seat belt laws were enacted to save lives. It takes three seconds to buckle up. Take time to protect yourself and those you love. Make sure everyone in your vehicle uses a seat belt or an appropriate child restraint.



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