Everyone must buckle up: It's the law July 1

Beginning July 1, there will be no exceptions to Indiana's seatbelt law. All occupants of passenger vehicles, including pickup trucks, will be required to buckle up in all seating positions.

Currently, state law does not require backseat passengers over the age of 16 to buckle up nor does it require occupants in pickup trucks, or those in vehicles registered as trucks to wear their seatbelts.

Indiana's General Assembly adopted House Bill 1237 on April 29 after several years of public and political debate. Governor Daniels signed the bill into law on May 10.

Indiana was one of just two states with a truck registration exemption. Beginning July 1, the only primary seatbelt law state with the exception will be Georgia.

Of the 897 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in Indiana during 2006, approximately 46% were known to be unrestrained at the time of their crash. The Governor's Council on Impaired & Dangerous driving, a division of Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), estimates that potentially 269 lives would have been saved if those killed would have been wearing their safety belts.

"It doesn't matter what type of car you ride in or where you are sitting, you are still vulnerable in a crash," said Ryan Klitzsch, Traffic Safety division director of ICJI. "A seat belt is the most effective way of saving your life and others."