Buckle Up. It's the law!

It is important to know Michigan's seat belt and child-safety restraint laws. A law enforcement officer may stop a vehicle if the driver and occupants are not properly buckled up.

The law requires:

• All front seat passengers to be buckled up (including the driver). 
• All passengers younger than age 16 to be buckled up regardless of seating position.
• All children younger than age 8 to be in an approved child-safety seat or booster seat, in all seating positions, unless 4 feet and 9 inches or taller.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that seat belts save more than 13,000 lives each year and that buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. Follow these tips:

• Be responsible: Make sure all passengers are properly buckled up.
• Even if the vehicle is equipped with air bags, they are not a substitute for wearing a seat belt.
• Everyone in the vehicle will be safer when seat belts are worn correctly: shoulder belt across the middle of the chest away from the neck, with the lap belt worn low across the hips, below the stomach.
• Drivers exempt from using a seat belt because of a medical condition must carry a doctor's statement.

Find a driver education program in Michigan

The Michigan Department of State certifies driver education providers and instructors to teach driver education. Programs are provided by both public school districts and private driving schools.

The Secretary of State's Teen Driver website has resources to help locate a driver education program near you. Find lists of providers, instructors and classrooms here.

Drivers of all ages need to be concerned with traffic laws, courtesy and safety. Always remember that safe driving is affected by your driving attitude and your ability to control your stress and anger. Do not let an aggressive driver's behavior provoke you to the point where you feel compelled to react in kind. Ruth Johnson Secretary of State

Teaching tip for parents

Studies show that the risk of a crash diminishes with experience. The more time you spend driving with your teen, the less likely it is they'll crash when they begin driving alone. 

Driving in a variety of circumstances is equally important. Make sure your teen gets exposure to a variety of roadways, and in different conditions as well: at night; in rain, fog and snow; and in heavy and light traffic.

Excerpted from The Parent's Supervised Driving Guide, a helpful resource for families with young drivers.

Report dangerous traffic situations to authorities

If you have a concern about a potentially dangerous traffic situation in your community--for example, a perceived need for the installation of a traffic light at a particular intersection or a stop sign that is partially blocked by a tree branch--report it to proper authorities.

If there is a safety problem that needs immediate attention to prevent injury, such as debris in a lane of traffic, call 9-1-1.