Howell County residents are reminded this Tuesday that the simple act of buckling up can make a life-saving difference. Seat belt use remains a key factor in road safety, and recent statistics highlight its continued importance across Missouri.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (modot.org), seat belt usage in the state rose to 88.3% in 2024—up 1.3% from the previous year. While this progress is encouraging, there’s still work to be done.
The stakes are high: University of Missouri Health reports that if everyone wore a seat belt, an estimated 235 lives could be saved in Missouri each year. The issue is especially critical for young drivers—77% of teen vehicle occupant fatalities in 2023 involved individuals who were not buckled up (savemolives.com).
Wearing your seat belt isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and your loved ones on the road.
So this Traffic Tip Tuesday, let’s keep Howell County safe: buckle up every trip, every time.
