Seat belts: the best defense against drunk drivers

April 21, 2003-This April and May, North Dakota law enforcement joins the nation's mobilizations to increase the use of seat belts and eliminate impaired driving nationwide and in North Dakota. "A seat belt is a person's best defense against a drunk driver," said Dawn Olson, Traffic Safety Program Manager, Drivers License and Traffic Safety Division, North Dakota Department of Transportation.

Last year, two people were killed on North Dakota roads almost every week in traffic crashes. Seven out of ten were not wearing a seat belt and more than 43% of the fatal crashes were alcohol-related.

Officer Joel Nelson of the Fargo Police Department knows first hand the benefits of wearing a seat belt. In the early hours of February 22, 2003, he was hit by a drunk driver. Because he was wearing a seat belt, Officer Nelson walked away. The impaired and unbuckled driver was ejected from his vehicle and seriously injured.

"I had no idea I would be involved in a crash that night," said Officer Nelson. "Because I was prepared for the worst, I survived. No one can fully prepare themselves for a crash, but you can protect yourself by wearing a seat belt and never drinking and driving."

Throughout April and May, North Dakotans can expect highly visible enforcement of impaired driving and seat belt use.