Young Drivers Learn Importance of Buckling Up

By: Stephanie Morrissey - Email

Updated: Thu 5:43 AM, Feb 21, 2013

It's a scary statistic. In Nebraska, 23 people died in car crashes last month. Only two of them were wearing a seat belt.

Nancy Butterfield knows just how risky not wearing your seat belt can be.

"It's huge. My sister was in an accident and didn't wear a seat belt and did not survive," Butterfield said.

That's one reason why she's spent the last 10 years teaching young drivers how to be safe on the road.

"This is a skill many of them will use for the rest of their life. It's a life or death situation," Butterfield said.

Twin brothers Noah and Jonah Bolin are two of Butterfield's students.

They'll get their licenses soon, but know the privilege comes with big responsibilities.

"As a young driver, I need to be responsible, not taking friends places I don't need to be going," said Noah.

"Keep friends from influencing my driving, looking at all road signs and traffic laws. Making the right decisions," said Jonah.

Making right decisions may seem easier said than done. AAA says 21 percent of all Nebraska crashes involve teen drivers and in the fatal ones, 63 percent of the teens weren't wearing their seat belts.

"As we drive more and more, people get lazy," said Butterfield.

Both Bolin brothers say driver's education has taught them to buckle up every time they get behind the wheel. Those who don't could face tougher penalties if a bill passes in the legislature. It would turn not wearing a seat belt into a primary law. Meaning you could get a ticket for that alone.