Click it or ticket! The national campaign to buckle up is etched into the memories of many Twin Citians growing up.  However not many know a new seat belt law for the entire State of Minnesota has been mandatory since June of 2009.  The big deal over this law was felt by 370 people who received seat belt citations in a round-up late May by MPD and MPPD officers and recently publicized.

Statute 169.686 also known as the “Kathryn Swanson Seat Belt Law” explicitly states “SEAT BELT USE REQUIRED; PENALTY” as if you didn’t get it in the first place.  To encourage compliance, receiving a ticket will not be recorded in your driving record.

The Office of Traffic Safety lists some of the requirements:

• Applies to the driver and passengers of a passenger vehicle, commercial motor vehicle, type III vehicle, and type III Head Start vehicle.
• Belts must be used properly — lap belt snug over lap, not abdomen; strap across shoulder, not under arm.
• Belts must be present as produced by manufacturer.

The fine for not buckling up is $25 for both driver and any passengers.

Most people we quizzed in Uptown about the new law weren’t aware it was required or that it only applied to freeway driving.  Some also think it only applies to the driver. Nope, in fact OTS says, “All vehicle occupants should buckle up regardless of seating position.”

The bill was named in honor of Kathy Swanson, former director of the OTS who championed the Primary Seat Belt law.  She continued advocating even as she was losing her battle to Lou Gehrig’s Disease in the bill’s final hours.  Her family website details her work.  According to her obituary she was a “tireless advocate for child safety and elderly driving safety and against any and all distractions while driving.”

Don’t forget, Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty himself also signed into law a texting and cell phone use ban a whole year before the seat belt law took effect.