Governor Baker Proclaims May as Seat Belt Awareness Month

Governor Charlie Baker proclaimed May as “Seat Belt Awareness Month” in honor of Hannah Raposo, a high school senior from Fall River killed last year in a car crash on the night of her senior prom. Hannah’s grandfather, Michael Miozza, collected more than 4,000 signatures in support of the designation and, with the help of State Representative Alan Silvia, a retired Fall River Police detective, filed the legislation creating the proclamation. Click here for high-resolution photo.

BOSTON, MA – May 31, 2017 – Governor Charlie Baker today proclaimed May “Seat Belt Awareness Month” in honor of Hannah Raposo, a high school senior from Fall River killed last year in a car crash on the night of her senior prom. Hannah’s grandfather, Michael Miozza, collected more than 4,000 signatures in support of the designation and, with the help of State Representative Alan Silvia, a retired Fall River Police detective, filed legislation that would codify this annual proclamation. “The loss of any life as promising and full of potential as Hannah’s is a tragic one, especially when it could be prevented by just buckling your seatbelt,” said Governor Baker. “As more people take to the roads in summer months ahead, we urge drivers to be safe and buckle up when they get behind the wheel.”

The proclamation comes as the Highway Safety Division (HSD) of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, concludes a campaign to encourage seat belt use through the national “Click It Or Ticket” effort. The campaign consisted of TV ads and grants to local and state police for increased enforcement. “Buckling up, staying off your devices, observing speed limits and designating a sober driver are critical safety checks for all drivers,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We urge parents and caregivers to set a good example for young drivers and our youth by practicing safe driving on the roads.”
“Our highest responsibility is public safety. We must continue to spread the life-saving message of wearing a seatbelt. It is a fact, all drivers who are not belted in, die more frequently in crashes. Buckle up every-time, it saves lives,” said State Representative Alan Silvia.

“Massachusetts’ seat belt use rate is lower than the national average by 12 percentage points, which results in unnecessary and entirely preventable injuries and deaths,” said Jeff Larason, Director of the Highway Safety Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. “We urge motorists to buckle up on every trip, no matter how short, and to be sure children in the vehicle are properly restrained in the appropriate car or booster seat.”

The Massachusetts Seat Belt Law requires all motor vehicle occupants to be properly restrained by seat belts when riding in private or commercial vehicles, including vans and trucks. Fines begin at $25 per violation. The Massachusetts Enhanced Child Passenger Safety Law requires children riding as passengers in motor vehicles to be in a federally-approved child passenger restraint that is properly fastened and secured until they are 8 years old or over 57 inches tall. Children older than 8 years or taller than 57 inches must wear seat belts.

Federal and state data shows that:

• In Massachusetts, 48 percent of those killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2015 were not wearing seat belts.
• Males have a lower seat belt use rate (73 percent) than females (85 percent).
• From 2010-2014, males accounted for 72% of unrestrained fatalities in MA, with deaths spiking for 18 to 34 year olds.
• Those driving pick-up trucks and commercial vehicles had the lowest seat belt use rates (64 percent and 56 percent, respectively). Among adults, they are considered the most at-risk motorists in Massachusetts.
• Massachusetts seat belt use at 78 percent lags behind the nationwide seat belt use rate of 90 percent.
• Occasional seat belt users are more likely to use seat belts on longer trips and on the highway, when they perceive driving conditions to be “risky”, than on short trips with frequent stops, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
• Unrestrained fatalities occurred most often during the hours of 9 pm and 3 am on weekends. Massachusetts has more than 225 locations where parents and caregivers can have their child’s car seat checked to be sure it is properly installed. Call the Child Passenger Safety Information Line at 1.877.392.5956 with any car or booster seat related questions, or check out the state’s web portal Car Seat 101 at http://www.mass.gov/carseats