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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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MT Safety Report Details Risk of “Backseat Bullet”

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Tuesday, September 2, 2014   

MISSOULA, Mont. - Montana has one of the highest traffic-crash death rates in the nation. A new report from Montana KIDS COUNT details the reason it happens is because too many people do not wearing seat belts and there are delays in getting expert medical treatment in rural areas.

Thale Dillon, director at Montana KIDS COUNT, says parents do a good job buckling up small children, but when adults in the same vehicle aren't restrained, the so-called "backseat bullet" phenomenon is the risk.

"Let's say there's a child and an adult sitting in the back seat," Dillon says. "The adult is not belted in; the child is. If there's an impact from the side, that adult will be thrown on top of the child and can easily kill that child."

A non-restrained person in the back seat can also cause injury to people in the front seat.

Montana's rural roads are another explanation. Lack of guardrails, no separation between lanes for opposite-direction traffic, and people driving fast are some of the reasons rural roads are more deadly. But the biggest strike against survival, besides not buckling up or alcohol use, is the amount of time it takes for a rescue.

"If you have an accident and you're injured, nobody's going to find you for a long time," Dillon says. "When they do find you, they may not have a cell signal. If they are able to call for assistance, that will take a long time getting to you."

Rural medical facilities are also compromised and many not have the equipment or expertise to deal with severe trauma. The report recommends a primary seat-belt law for Montana, a national rule for seat-belt use, and donation or loan programs so lower-income families can use high-quality, age-appropriate child safety seats.


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