Buckle up North Dakota, officers can now pull you over for not wearing a seat belt

GRAND FORKS — Click it or ticket.

North Dakota is now the 35th state to have a primary seat belt rule in place.

Grand Forks County Sheriff Andy Schneider said it’s a lot easier to spot than most drivers think.

“If you know what you’re looking for, you can see a strap coming from the side, pillar of the vehicle. Seat belts are typically a different color than the clothing people are wearing.

Schneider was one of the main supporters to push lawmakers in North Dakota to pass a primary seat belt law this session. Until now, drivers could only be given a ticket for not wearing a seat belt after being pulled over for another traffic violation.

Those who get busted under the new law, it will cost them $20.

“Even without enforcing it, the seat belt usage rate goes up by about 10% to 12%,” said Carma Hanson, coordinator for Safe Kids Grand Forks.

Hanson has been pushing this law for the past six legislative sessions. She cites the fact that seat belt usage in the Peace Garden State is at 81%, which is in the bottom 10 of the U.S.

The national average is 94%.

The law also updates the rules for people in the backseat. Under the old law, anyone over 18 did not need to wear a seat belt. Now everyone must be buckled at all times.

“He wasn’t wearing his seat belt which is the target crowd we are looking for, 18-35, males, are typically the ones not buckled up,” said Schneider as a car passed.

So far this year, 21 people in North Dakota who had the option of wearing a seat belt could be alive today if they buckled up.

“Parents are great role models,” Hanson said. “If parents buckle up, their kids are more inclined to be buckled up as well.”

Schneider made it clear this is not a law to harass drivers.

“There’s plenty of reasons to stop cars, this new offense is more about saving lives than it is stopping cars,” Schneider said.

Matt Henson is an Emmy award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Prior to joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the main anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years. He was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia and attended college at Lyndon State College in northern Vermont, where he was recognized twice nationally, including first place, by the National Academy for Arts and Science for television production. Matt enjoys being a voice for the little guy. He focuses on crimes and courts and investigative stories. Just as often, he shares tear-jerking stories and stories of accomplishment. Matt enjoys traveling to small towns across North Dakota and Minnesota to share their stories. He can be reached at mhenson@wday.com and at 610-639-9215. When he’s not at work (rare) Matt resides in Moorhead and enjoys spending time with his daughter, golfing and attending Bison and Sioux games.