St. Joseph's Hospital Worksite Seat Belt Campaign

Funding for the program was made possible through a grant from the North Dakota Department of Transportation. The program includes a pledge period, seat belt surveys, education on current seat belt laws and an opportunity to win prizes throughout the campaign.

North Dakota's child restraint law requires all children under age four to be in an approved child restraint. All youth, ages four through 17 must be in either an approved child restraint or safety belt. Enforcement of the child restraint law is a primary enforcement issue. Penalty for driver's under 18 years of age is one-point on their driver record. For driver's over 18 years of age, it is a secondary offense and consists of a $40 fine in the city of Dickinson. It is the driver's responsibility to see that all passengers are properly restrained.

Southwest Coalition of Safe Communities staff and hospital staff members formed the "Do Buckle, Don't Booze" Committee that meets monthly to plan activities which encourage seat belt usage in hopes that seat belt use will become a lifelong habit.