Minnesotans In These Cities Aren't Buckling In Their Kids

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota law enforcement cited nearly 1,000 drivers for not wearing seat belts and 37 for failing to properly buckle in children during a statewide enforcement campaign in late September.

The extra enforcement effort ran from Sept. 21–27 and included 254 agencies across the state, coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).

The campaign was part of the state’s “Click It or Ticket” seat belt initiative and the broader Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program. Funding came from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"These citations serve as a powerful reminder for every driver and parent to pause and make a life-saving choice," said OTS Director Mike Hanson.

"The data is clear — seat belts and proper child restraints save lives. Stories like Jourdan’s, a mother who protected her daughters by securing them correctly, show the difference one decision can make."

Among the top agencies issuing child restraint citations were:

• Minnesota State Patrol (Golden Valley district): 9
• Minnesota State Patrol (Oakdale district): 6
• Rock County Sheriff’s Office: 2
• Marshall Police Department: 2
• Richfield Police Department: 2

Officers also reported a total of 967 seat belt citations statewide.

The top agencies for seat belt enforcement included the St. Paul Police Department (92), State Patrol west metro district (77), and State Patrol east metro district (60), followed by patrol districts in Brainerd, Virginia, Duluth, Thief River Falls, and St. Cloud.

Officials highlighted several recent stories of children surviving crashes thanks to correct car seat use.

At a press event before the campaign began, Jennifer Starkson shared how her grandchildren lived through a deadly crash because they were properly restrained.

“Be a kid’s hero,” OTS said in a statement. “Proper car seats save lives.”

Full results from the campaign are available here.