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DPS: Lack Of Seat Belts Added To Jan. Road Deaths

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced a sobering statistic when it comes to wearing a seat belt -- 13 of the 18 motorists killed in January weren't buckled up.

The DPS said this is the second straight month where skipping using a seat belt factored in a majority of traffic deaths. In December, 18 out of 23 motorists killed weren't buckled up.

"These fatalities only emphasize the point that if you don't buckle up, you are giving up the best defense you have to stay safe in the case of a crash," said Lt. Eric Roeske of the Minnesota State Patrol.

The DPS said most of the deaths happened in areas outside the metro area, where belt compliance is low -- Benton, Cass, Crow Wing, Goodhue, Kandiyohi, Otter Tail, Rock, St. Louis, Wadena, Winona, and two in Faribault. Only one unbelted fatality occurred in the Twin Cities area, in Dakota County.

It's the law in Minnesota for drivers and all passengers to be belted.

For more information on seat belt safety, click here.

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