JEFFERSON CITY –Warm weather will be here soon and teens will be hitting the road to enjoy spring break, prom, and other great springtime activities.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety wants teens to think about how dangerous a car ride can be if they don’t buckle up. An element of this year’s teen seat belt campaign reminds teens that their safety is to be taken very seriously – “Buckle Up. It’s No Joke.”

“Only 68 percent of Missouri’s teens buckle up,” said Missouri State Highway Patrol Colonel Bret Johnson. “To combat this low rate law enforcement will be out in full force March 15-31 to crack down on unbelted drivers and save lives.”

Teens are most likely to follow parental example. Parents who buckle up on a regular basis have kids that make the same safe choice. Under Missouri’s Graduated Driver License Law, permit drivers and all passengers must wear safety belts.

 Nearly seven out of 10 vehicle occupants killed in Missouri traffic crashes in the past three years were unbuckled. When evaluating teen vehicle occupants, nearly eight out of 10 were unbuckled.

For more information visit saveMOlives.com, or find us on social media at Save MO Lives.  Buckle up and ARRIVE ALIVE