Colorado Traffic Deaths Without Seatbelts Rising

The number of people killed in Colorado traffic accidents while not wearing seatbelts is up.

The State Patrol says 187 people not wearing seat belts died in Colorado crashes last year, up from 164 in 2010.

The State Patrol released the numbers while announcing a “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement period that started Monday and runs through June 3.

Adults can be ticketed for not wearing a seatbelt if their vehicles have been stopped for another violation. Seat belt fines are $65 per violation.

The Colorado State Patrol says that according to statistics from last year, those more likely to die in a crash without a seatbelt were young men, pickup truck occupants, nighttime drivers and passengers, Hispanics and those traveling in rural areas.