Note to Hannah Montana: Seat belts are necessary not an accessory

Many parents would agree that 15-year-old superstar Hannah Montana, a.k.a. Miley Cyrus, is a good role model for kids.  But a gaffe in her Disney blockbuster 3-D movie, "Hannah Montana/ Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour" might challenge that opinion. 

Why?  One scene in the movie shows Miley and her dad, country music star Billy Ray Cyrus, riding in the back seat of a Range Rover on the way to rehearsal for the concert tour.  Neither was wearing a seat belt.

Why should we care?  Because, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in about 55 percent of passenger vehicle fatalities in 2006 (the latest data available), the occupants were not wearing seat belts.  Even worse, in the 13- to 15-year-old age group, that percentage climbs to 65 percent.  Unfortunately, we’re not surprised by these grim statistics because a 2002 survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed that when parents were dropping teens off at school in the morning, nearly half the teens weren’t using seat belts.

It seems to us that Miley, her father, and Disney had a perfect opportunity to help influence teens and counteract—rather than encourage—this trend.  Then again, as Hannah herself sings, "Everybody makes mistakes."  Maybe Hannah, Billy and Disney, will take a tip from the rest of Hannah’s song and get it right next time around: "Nobody's Perfect! I gotta work it! Again and again 'til I get it right. Nobody's Perfect!"

Update
Miley's dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, says "we made a mistake" and agrees that seat belt use is "important." Read the full story.

Comments

[M. Aguiar]

Its pretty sad that this society is so lacking in real role models that it places the responsibility upon famous children to set the example. Celebrity and priviledge has its own set of challenges for these young people, and frankly those poor kids do not need the added pressure. How many teen sensations actually grow up to be well-adjusted successful adults? I wear my seat belt and take responsibility for my children doing so. They don't need Hannah Montana to reinforce it for them. Leave her alone, give her a chance to grow up as normal as possible, I would hate for her to become the next walking tragedy/industry joke that poor Britney evolved into because she cracked under the pressure of try to measure up.

[Alexz]

OMG!! YOU PEOPLE DONT HAVE ANYTHING BETTER TO WRITE ABOUT OR WAS IT A CONTEST TO SEE WHO COULD FIND SOMETHING BAD ON MILEY FIRST!! GET A LIFE

[slou]

Consumer Reports owes this girl an apology for a personal attack for something that she undoubtedly had very little control over. She was not the producer or director of this movie, she was an actress. If her script didn't tell her that her character was to put her seatbelt on, then she would have no reason to do so. And do you really think the director would be interested in a 15 year old's input, even if she tried to bring it up? If you want to point out that Disney executives may have been remiss, that's fine. But to attack this lovely young woman and her father? You should be shamed of yourselves.

[Amanda]

This is so stupid! Are you really serious! Just because of her success doesn't mean she should be crucified for not wearing a seat belt!!! Maybe you guys are just trying to stir up publicity and cause attention to your web, magazine or whatever it is you guys have since she's so popular right now. Congrats on a stupid article!!

[Lippy]

Normally, Consumer Reports is right on target. But this fits into the "making a mountain out of a molehill" category. I would be willing to bet that few, if any, of the kids who saw that movie would remember whether she did or didn't wear a seatbelt. I think parents are the ones who should be dictating the use of seatbelts by children. If someone's parenting skills are so weak that a Disney star could so easily undermine their rules, that parent needs a new set of guidelines.

[KinTexas]

If this is all that anyone can come up with, I think there is not a problem at all!!!! At least she isn't pregnant like other teenage Disney stars. Leave her alone! There are kids out there that are just plain ole good kids! I think she is one of them!

[mandyray]

I think Hannah Montana says it best, "Everyone makes mistakes everyone has those days." Nobody's perfect.

[fabulous]

OMG you guys should chill-ax!!!!!!!!!!! SHEEEEESH. STOP picking on people get some bettter news to talk about

[Sarah A.]

Its ridiclous. My 6 year old daughter loves Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. I dont leave it up to TV personalitys to teach my child saftey. Nor would I ever depend on it. Here we have a young awesome role moedel for young girls thats not going psycho, doing drugs, driving drunk, or getting pregnant. How about we leave her alone.

[becs]

Thank you for bringing this matter up. It's about time! I often notice when someone's not wearing a seatbelt in movies, including the well-received Juno. It appeared this pregnant teenager did not wear one while driving alone several times. (Sarcastically said) I can only guess that if she smoked or drank alcohol during her pregnancy, the movie would be boycotted. And those things are legal.

*Especially because* not wearing a seatbelt is *against the law*, I'm truly baffled as to why (in family-friendly movies) some aren't wearing them.

[M Trustdorf]

One has to wonder how you can put any sort of a positive spin on the use of a "back-up camera" by Mr Cage in such a destructive manner, while at the same time berating Miley's non-use of seatbelts in a sanely driven automobile. By the way, neither of the front seat occupants in the Nicolas Cage scenes is wearing seat belts !

[hautumn]

This is absolutely ridiculous!! It is not up to Disney, Billy Ray Cyrus, or his daughter to influence, convince, or insist that teens wear their seatbelts. I understand that it is important to wear a seatbelt (even in the back seat); however, I find it absurd that the parents, organizations, and the media are pointing the finger at Disney and Miley for a problem that parents and teens need to address.

[Shellie]

Excuse me?? This was a MOVIE!! Hello?? The scene was probably shot on a backlot when the car wasn't even moving!!!! When you see Miley Cyrus on the highway or on a downtown street without her seatbelt, then you might have a point. Until then, this isn't even news!

[djs]

And to think she goes by two names.....what would home front security think....an assumed name....now there's your pulitzer

[Mike in LA]

I can understand trying to make a point about seatbelt safety, but this smacks of bad sensationalism and hardly fair journalism. I’m not a Miley fan particularly, but I your own article you state that it was just one scene. I hope this doesn’t have a backlash for you and hurt your credibility, but just as an average consumer it really seems like you are taking pot shots at a celebrity just to make your otherwise valid point. Overall a cheap shot.

[DragonDiva]

I am a loyal subscriber of CR and depend on them religiously when it comes to buying cetain products. (True!) That being said, it is regrettable to witness CR crossing over to the papparazzi's side and point the finger at a person rather than a product. If I want those kind of opinions I'll subscribe to the People magazine website not the CR website.

[ariemus]

Come on, so what if they did not put on their seat belts, its a freakin movie. In movies, you see lots of "unsafe" things going on. Like kids running into the street, not looking both ways before they cross. How about when the driver doesnt even keep his/her eyes on the road while talking to the passanger. Is Consumer Reports going to sue the movie "Home Alone" for negligence and child endangerment since they left the child by himself.

Last time I checked Consumer Reports didn't have a movie review section.

[Ray]

It is a movie isn't it? What is the saying from the song many years ago...it's all in the movies???

[Laura]

I personally do agree that it should be noted that there was yet another Disney movie without people wearing appropriate seatbelts. As of late (pointed out by my 4 year old daughter), we have noted that Chicken Little and Toy Story show 2 major safety issues - young children, even a baby in Toy Story, in the front seat and no one is wearing their seatbelts. I realize that these are animated movies and should be taken with a grain of salt so to speak but nonetheless it becomes an issue when young children question why they can't sit in the front seat or why they have to wear their seatbelts and sit in carseats. In part, Disney is geared to the younger generation and if we want safey to be promoted then they need to promote in movies and shows.

[Freezing In Wisconsin]

Out of all the movies that have come out in the past 10 years....You just now choose to say something about this. Come on, why pick on just Miley for this. I do not recall seeing the guys in Dukes of Hazard or The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift making sure they were buckled in. Why not chastise all of Hollywood instead? Think a little bit before you rip one single person apart.

[Stephanie]

First of all, I went to see the movie opening day. Not only did I not notice the lack of seat belt use, but neither did the 2 girls with me. Now, however they can't wait to "verify" this story if and when the video version comes out. I understand the importance of seat belts, but by reporting this you have just awakened a sleeping giant as the 15 yr old girls will get this story and then imitate it. Whereas in the movie the clip passes unnoticed.

[James]

I live in Texas and in the case you have cited, seat belts are not required by law. Based on statistics maybe they should be, or maybe it should just be their choice after examining the data. However, your uppity blog entry which is now getting picked up on other news outlets (which i am sue is what you wanted) portrays this girl in a very negative light. We have young starlets driving drunk, hit and run, kids not in carseats, etc. and the best thing you can come up with is to beat up on this one....you should be ashamed!

[Heather Broadway]

I think that Miley is a great idol that my 8 year old looks up to. For heaven sake don't you have something better to do? A seatbelt is important. But how about we keep our focus on the drugs,alcohol& teenage pregnancy problems. Remember those? It's like you couldn't find anything else to degrade her for. So you picked this? Well I guess Brittany,Lindsey or Paris would of been better. So far I believe Miley's parents have done a very good job raising her. At least some one tells her no.

[Kristie]

I am embarrassed to be a Consumer Reports subscriber today. Our society just gave Amy Winehouse - who is in rehab - Grammy awards for a song about refusing to go to rehab. But, Consumer Reports is upset that Miley Cyrus isn't wearing a seatbelt in the backseat of a car in a movie?! We finally get a role model our little girls can actually look up to and we just have to find something to blast her about. Gimme a break!

[P.Hawkins]

Good grief.She's 15 & in the back seat.Some states only require children under a certain age to buckle up.Get a life & a story.She wasn't driving.