A statewide survey shows seat belt usage by Mesa County residents far below the state average, but a Colorado State Patrol Trooper says a law passing through the legislature could help raise compliance.
The survey, by the Colorado Department of Transportation, shows that in Mesa County just over 63% of teenagers and 73% of adults are belted in. That's about 6% lower than the state average, where more than 70 % of teens and nearly 80% of adults wear seatbelts.
Trooper Ron Greasly says teenager's attitudes in Mesa County contribute to a high mortality rate in that age group due to car accidents. A bill currently in the legislature could make people not wearing seatbelts pay for their carelessness. House Bill 1138 would allow law enforcement to ticket people not using seat belts.
Currently, a driver must be pulled over for another offense before facing seat belt charges.
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