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

[Linda B]

This girl has enough on her shoulders without holding her responsible. I am a parent and when my child is in the car - her seat belt is on. I make it a point to have her do this and any other child that is in my care and/or car. I am not counting on Miley or Bill Ray to show my child to put their seatbelts on. Not to mention I saw this movie and didn't even notice this. Besides they were in the back seat!

[XENIA]

COME ON. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER MOVIES THAT KIDS WATCH WHERE THEY DON'T PUT ON A SEAT BELT AND CAR SAFETY STARTS WITH THE PARENTS. MY DAUGHTER IS 3 YRS.OLD AND SHE'S KNOWN THAT THE FIRST THING YOU DO IS PUT ON YOUR SEAT BELT SINCE SHE WAS 1 YR. OLD. I THINK MILEY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE FOR A 13 YR. OLD. SHE SURE HAS MORE SENSE THEN A MUCH OLDER BRITNEY SPEARS.

[Nita]

This is by far the dumbest thing I've ever seen written. Who cares! It was a MOVIE! The whole thing was staged, they were probably driving in circles in the freaking parking lot. Miley doesn't raise other peoples children, parents do and parents should have sense enough to tell their kids to put their seat belts on without having to let a 15 year old do it via a freaking movie. This is nothing more than "straw grasping" by another Miley hater. She's not my favorite star in the world, but give me a break, at least she's not a drunk, drugged out, party queen. Get off her back and let her be the clean cut kid our little girls love to sing and dance with.

Media! Getting more and more ruthless everyday!

[Cindy]

Something like this probably would have gone unnoticed by most. By making it "news" you are the ones bringing attention to it and therefore making it an issue. I will agree that there may be some things kids pick up from tv shows but habits like seatbelt wearing are formed at home...not based on whether or not Miley Cyrus wears her seatbelt. I can't imagine the lives these poor people lead. Once they are in the public eye they are scrutinized for everything.

[Police Dad]

I just took 3 of my children to see this movie. They were so fixed on Miley Cirus that I think she could have been riding on a tricycle and they would have not noticed. I am in the law enforcement field and only saw a production shot of a movie. If the vehicle was shown going 75 miles/hour down the freeway, different story. What was seen was a conversation between Miley and her father Billy Ray. This should spark more conversation than a seatbelt violation. How dare a father be part of his daughter’s fame? Look at Brittney Spears and her father. How about Macaulay Culkin and his father? Should we be watching these to see if they are buckling up together?
I agree with Bman. Dirt gets attention, but good journalism gets recognized.

[Sarah Waters]

1. This isn't news.
2. "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."

Puh-leeze - so the girl forgot to put on the belt in the back seat - suddenly she's a negative influence? Must be nice to NEVER forget anything.

And why would we rely on Miley, Billy Ray or Disney influence have such an influence on our teens anyway? Wear your seat belt because it's safer - not because Hannah Montana does it.

[Steve Gaichin]

I agree with the blogs notion that they ( Miley and Billy Ray) certainly blew a great opprotunity to act as role models! Somebody was asleep at the wheel. Think a head or two might roll? THEN of course comes my other question, Am I wrong to assume that seatbelt use is manditory in all states? Hey uhh, duh, "Dizny World Ezeks" You guys better wake up and JUMP ot this one with Both feet. Ps. I love Disney world

[bmr]

The media has been trying to dig up dirt on her for a while now. Why can't they just accept that she is a good girl. Stop trying to find something that isn't there. I do agree that wearing a seatbelt is important, it has even saved my life before, however I don't think that it is hardcore journalism. Hey here is a newsflash for you. We are in a presidential election year, our country is at war, and our country's economy is in the tubes. These things are newsworthy.

[Figment]

Why would Disney worry about Miley's seatbelt? They let the Super Nanny ride beltless in every episode's opening segment. My 7-year old pointed it out!

[Puzzled in PA]

Seat belt safety is very important and we should always buckle up! I just don't understand why people just sit and look for reasons to criticize fellow human beings? What a much better world this would be if everyone just would mind their own business!

[Grace Brandt]

Since when is it a teenage superstar's responsibility to teach your children to wear there seatbelts? Stop pointing fingers and start parenting!

[starr]

I'm soooo tired of seat belt police. I was raised when they didn't have seat belts in cars. My dad smoked when filling up the car with regular gasoline. I don't know when they decided it was flammable and said you had to turn off the engine and put out the cigarette.
We didn't have car seats for kids and we sure didn't have busy bodies running around making sure you were following all the "rules"!!!
Guess What, we all survived and we're still here...my kids and grandkids are still here and we "Baby Boomers" make up a majority of todays population, so what's wrong with this picture!!!! Get over it!!!

[Thomas Messerli]

Focus on criminalizing drunk driver statutes and not on us who chose not to wear seat belts.

[Deb]

Miley has been a positive role model and let's give her that credit. I'm sure she wasn't trying to influence people concerning seat belts.

[Joseph Rodriguez]

OK! You guys need to get a life! The media started having a field day with Britney with the baby in the driver seat story, and look how that turned out.....Just don't even waste your time with this...Let it go, now, before you start a swarm of media stupidity...LET IT GO!!!!!

[Dave Prater]

It's an entertainment film, not a high school drivers education film! I don't recall the Flintstones wearing seatbelts either! Then again, I guess we'll be told that's why they are extinct!

[Jim McDonell]

Good god! She should be drawn and quartered! A 15 year old riding in the back seat without a seat belt! Wait a moment, that's not illegal. We should change the law!

I beat she does other unsafe things as well. We should berate her for swimming, people drown you know; and for wearing heels, she could twist an ankle, fall off stage and crack her head open. Oh my god! I just realized she sings and (shudder) dances at the same time, that's an accident just waiting to happen.

Get real people.

[Angela]

Why is it Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus's obligation to use every single opportunity to use thier positive influence? Is she not allowed to act like the child she is and always has to set an example?
What's next? Will she be criticized for not brush/floss her teeth immediately after we see her eat on screen?

Yes, she has been a positive role model for a while now, but who thinks to put on thier seat belt every single time they are in the back seat? Do you think that just because Miley didn't happen to, some kid out there is like, "Wow- that's cool- I'm not gonna use my seat belt in the back anymore, woo hoo!"

In my household, my children are taught- "different families have different rules. Just b/c your friends parents may allow it, doesn't mean we do." Just b/c Billy Ray allowed his daughter to not use her seat belt in the backseat (it's not like they were breaking a law BTW) doesn't mean that it is going to become the newest teen trend.

Im fact, until this article came out, I never even noticed that they didn't have thier seatbelts on.

[tammy]

I am all for seatbelts, but parents don't put your job on someone else; it's your responsibility to what your kids do not Hannah Montana or another person on TV. Everyone wants to blame someone else for their dysfunctional kids, if you can't take responsibility for your on reproduction, its call birth control. I like to know how many of you are going to credit Hannah Montana if you child turns out to be a doctor, lawyer or surgeon. Keep doing what you are doing and stay safe, most out there wish their kids where half the person you are.

[Bob Heitjan]

Good for them! Lots of us have survived our years without benefit of belts. Anyone ever heard of personal choice?

[Kentucky Chucky]

Whoever wrote this reaaaaaaaally needs something constructive to work on. I hear Hillary Duff's hamster escaped last week and is STILL missing.

[Nancy K]

I can't actually believe this...... Come on, it's filming... Do you really think someone was driving the actual car? NOT! You have go to be joking. Media needs to get a life if they think this is something to raise a stink about.

[MyKidsDad]

My kids (two grown and out and two still at home (7 and 10)) have always worn their seatbelts. Not because of what some kid celebrity does or doesn't do in a movie clip but because I have made them wear them, they understand why they need to wear them and, oh yea, it's the law. So I will parent my children rather than expecting another child to do it by example and I'll hope that Miley continues to be the wonder role model she has been so far.

[Ben G.]

what a sad state of affairs in this country when parents put such weight in celebrities, movies, TV, the disney channel, etc. as valid role models for their children.

do parents really spend so little time with their children? do their children really spend so much time watching TV? so much so that these programs are a greater influence in their lives than their own parents?

the greater concern ought to be the chronic parental absence that this country and its media seem to endorse, tacitly or not.

[Thursdaysmom]

Thanks, Consumer Reports. It is fair to notice and publish something pertaining to the safety of our children. I would also like to see an article about who makes the toys with Miley's image and the labor laws or lack of laws protecting them.