Today is the start of the statewide and nationwide “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement sweep. Recently in Minnesota, there have been many deadly crashes over the last month. Twenty-two vehicle occupant traffic deaths were reported. Fifteen of the motorists who were killed were not wearing seat belts.

Memorial Day weekend is the start of the summer driving season and one of the deadliest periods on Minnesota roads. Last year in May 2007, the State Patrol and other agencies wrote 8,500 seat belt citations. The cost of the citation is only $25 but can go as high as $115 with administrative fees.

Regardless of the fines, think of the deadly consequences if you don’t buckle up your seat belt. Last month seven people who were not wearing seat belts were ejected out of their car and died.

Colonel Mark Dunaski, Chief of the State Patrol recently said, “We would rather meet you on the shoulder of the road now so we don’t have to meet you at a violent crash scene later.” Powerful statement, isn’t it?

So don’t be a statistic – you know, it only takes a second to buckle up.