Seat belt use rises for Missouri teenagers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- More teenage drivers are using seat belts in Missouri. But they still buckle up less frequently than adults.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety says 61 percent of teenagers are wearing seat belts. That's up from 58 percent last year.

The coalition's figures come from a visual survey of almost 17,000 teenagers conducted in March and April at high schools in 92 Missouri counties.

The group plans to release its 2007 seat belt survey results for all drivers on Wednesday.

Last year, the group's survey showed that 75 percent of Missourians buckle up.