Couple saved by seat belts last year

'There's no question that seat belts reduce injuries and save lives'

By Sarah Beu, Journal staff | Saturday, May 24, 2008

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Stanley and Helen Barber of Rapid City are glad they wore their seat belts coming home from Belle Fourche last summer.

A car traveling west on Interstate 90 on July 6 drove into the median and then into the east-bound lanes, hitting one car before crashing into the Barber's car.

Stanley Barber said his wife is alive today because she was wearing her seat belt. "The air bag didn't even get her, because the seat belt locked up. That was the only thing that saved our lives."

Helen Barber's injuries were serious -- 21 broken ribs, a broken sternum and other injuries -- but almost a year later, "she's as well as she's going to get."

The Barbers are only two of many survivors of car accidents because they used their seat belts. Even though seat belts don't save lives 100 percent of the time, their use lessens the number of injuries and deaths, according to Lt. Kevin Karley of the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

"From our standpoint, there's no question that seat belts reduce injuries and save lives," Karley said. "This is a personal-responsibility issue. It only takes a few seconds for people to buckle up." He said that after it becomes a habit, it will become second nature. 

Law enforcement agencies nationwide are stepping up their seat-belt enforcement efforts. The campaign, which runs through June 1, is called "Buckle up! Every Trip. Every Time." 

In Sturgis, police have been writing more warnings, giving more citations and increasing traffic stops, according to assistant chief of police Branden Bestgen.

Karley said that the highway patrol has scheduled a few extra visits to high schools and civic groups in order to educate the public about seat-belt use.

This weekend, Karley said, people should expect more traffic, and he cautioned people to drive defensively and to wear their seat belts.

In the past five years, at least one person has died during Memorial Day weekend each year. Gov. Mike Rounds said he would like that number to be zero.

"I challenge all South Dakotans to be responsible drivers and make Memorial Day weekend accident free," Rounds said in a news release. "Please, wear your seat belt. Don't drink and drive, and follow the posted speed limits."

Last year, a total of 127 accidents were reported over the Memorial Day weekend; 49 people were injured, and one died, according to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

Contact Sarah Beu at 394-8424 or sarah.beu@rapidcityjournal.com

South Dakota seat-belt law

* All people younger than 18 must be buckled up at all times. Drivers can be ticketed if children and youths are not properly restrained. Children younger than 5 and weighing less than 40 pounds must be in an approved child safety seat. This is a primary offense, which means a driver can be ticketed even if no other violations have occurred.

* All front-seat passengers must be buckled up at all times. This is a secondary offense, which cannot result in the vehicle being stopped; but if stopped for any other reason, those guilty of not wearing seat belts will be issued warnings or citations.

Source: South Dakota Department of Public Safety

South Dakota seat-belt use by year

2000: 53.4 percent

2001: 63.3 percent

2002: 64 percent

2003: 69.9 percent

2004: 69.4 percent

2005: 68.8 percent

2006: 71.3 percent

2007: 73 percent