Extra " Click It or Ticket"  seat belt enforcement patrols in October resulted in 78 seat belt citations according to Winona County law enforcement agencies.  The statewide campaign ran Oct. 12-26.
             
More than 400 unbelted motorists were killed in the last three years in Minnesota, representing 43 percent of the total motorist deaths. In Winona County during during the last three years, 6 unbelted motorists were killed and 5 were seriously injured.
             
Of the 377 motorists killed in unbelted deaths during 2009-2011, 41 percent were motorists ages 16-29.  In a crash, odds are six-times greater for injury if a motorist is not buckled up.

In Minnesota, drivers and passengers in all seating positions, including the back seat, are required to be buckled up or seated in the correct child restraint. Officers will stop and ticket unbelted drivers or passengers. Seat belts must be worn correctly - low and snug across the hips; shoulder straps should never be tucked under an arm or behind the back.