SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Highway Patrol says 62 percent of all fatalities in South Dakota car crashes were not wearing seat belts.
Captain Jason Husby says the Patrol is cracking down on seatbelt violators by issuing citations to all unrestrained occupants.
If unbuckled occupants are under the age of 18 that is a primary offense. Otherwise, seatbelt citations are a secondary violation meaning troopers must stop you for an offense such as speeding, red light running or a headlight that's out.
Husby says almost 72% of the Patrol's 9,000 contacts were not wearing seat belts in 2015 and they received a written citation. He says the goal of the efforts is to encourage mote people to wear their seatbelts.
He says drivers can't control slippery or icy roads or someone running a red light and hitting you. But, Husby says, you can control your seatbelt.
A no seatbelt citation in South Dakota is $25.