SAFE COIMMUNITIES PROGRAM URGES SEAT-BELT USE

Drivers in Cape Girardeau are more likely to use seat belts than drivers throughout the rest of the state, according to the results of a recent survey.

Sharee Galnore, coordinator for the Cape Girardeau Safe Communities Program, said Monday that the current usage rate of seat belts by drivers in Cape Girardeau is 78 percent, down from 82 percent six months ago.

"We've been hovering around 80 percent for some time," Galnore said.

The number compares favorably to statewide figures where 68 percent of drivers use their seat belts. The number is considerably higher than in 1984 when Safe Communities began to track the usage rate. In 1984, only about 7 percent of drivers used seat belts, Galnore said.

Safe Communities hopes to have the usage rate up to 85 percent by the year 2000.

The group is taking time to remind motorists of the importance of seat belts as a part of their recognition of national "Buckle Up America! Week," which runs through the Memorial Day. The Safe Communities Program urges motorists to use the week as a time to start the habit of buckling up.

"If motorists who don't already buckle up will make it a conscious habit to put their safety belt on every time they get into a vehicle this week, by the end of the week they will have started a new habit, one that can save their lives," Galnore said.

Statistic bear out the importance of wearing a seat belt. In 1996, the chances of a driver being injured in an accident when not wearing a seat belt were one in three. The chances of being injured decreased to one in seven when the driver was wearing a seat belt.

In the same year, 1,192 people were killed in traffic accidents in Missouri. Of those, 75 percent or nearly 900 drivers killed were not wearing seat belts.

The chances of a person not wearing a seat belt being killed in an accident were one in 85. But in cases where the drivers wore belts, the chances of being killed decreased to one in 1,408.

Because of the importance of wearing seat belts, Gov. Mel Carnahan has proclaimed May 18-25 as "Buckle Up America! Week" in Missouri.

Galnore also reminded motorists that state law requires children up to the age of 4 to ride in an approved child safety seat.

She also cautions parents to read carefully all printed instructions that come with the child safety seat to ensure that the child is strapped into the seat correctly. Galnore estimated that 80 percent of all parents misuse child safety seats. Parents who are unsure if they are buckling their children into the seats correctly may stop by the Cape Girardeau Police Department where Galnore said she would inspect their use.

The Safe Communities Program is also working to make safety seats available to families that cannot afford them. The goal, Galnore said, is to get every child in a safety seat when they are riding in a vehicle.

State law also requires children up to age 16 are required to wear at least a lap belt while riding in a vehicle.