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

[Travis Williams]

Maybe the childrens' parents should be responsible for teaching them to wear their seatbelt. It's very sad to think that people expect a teenybopper on a television program to teach their children these things instead of doing it themselves.

[Pat]

Is it even the law as to whether or not you have to wear a seat belt in the back seat? Of the deaths mentioned in this report, how many of them occurred in the back seat?

Regardless, this article is ridiculous. Who goes to a movie about a rock-star-by-night to get a lesson in proper safety? Lighten up!

[SHANA]

I THINK THAT YOU NEED TO RE LOOK AT YOUR PRIORITIES, THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT THAN SEEING MYLIE IN A CAR THAT IS IN A CONTROLLED SETTING OF A MOVIE. HOW ABOUT YOU STICK TO LETTING US KNOW ABOUT MEDICINES AND OTHER THINGS THAT COULD KILL US NOT IF MYLIE HAD HER SEAT BELT ON!!!!

[H-man]

What? Since when did you become a part of Nanny-state?
Please, stick to what you do fairly well and leave personal behavior out of it.
After all, you can't force or legislate everything!

[John Thynes]

You got to be kidding me. It is not Miley's responsibility to educate teenagers on how or when to wear their seatbelts. That's what we parents are here for. It's unfortunate that many teens(and Adults)don't wear their seatbelt, but that is not Miley Cirrus Fault. If this is the best you can get for Journalism you are in the wrong trade. Remember with Burger King you can alaways have it your way and I believe they are hiring.

[Teresa]

"Juno" isn't wearing a seatbelt it that movie either.

[hh]

With all the problems with lead paint, tainted food, unsafe roads, the government going down the toilet, you found time to complain about a scene from a movie?? Get a life!!!
Stick to finding crappy products that fall apart after two uses.

[joe mike]

To begin, parents are by all accounts the greatest influence on kids when it comes to the basics of life. My 14 yr old son will not let me leave the driveway without buckling my belt much less his own as I taught him the practice from infancy up. By the way he thinks Miley Cyrus is "hot" but she will not have any influence on whether he buckles or not.That is my job. Folks (namely media movers and shakers)leave THIS pop star alone lest she be driven insane by your constant criticism and ridicule and eventually end up where another pop start is today - broke down on the road-side of your "concern for the public's safety and the safety of our children campaign." If someone where monitoring your every move, hairdo, and etc. what would we find? Give us a Break!

[Matt]

Seriously? With all the other problems in the world you find the gumption to go after a teenage actress over a seat belt? What's next? The roadrunner not obeying speed limits? Or maybe Disney's lack of decency in not puting pants on Pluto, while Goofey get a nice set of trousers?...Let's not beat the kid up for not piping up about a scene that was not written or set up by her..and definately then do not lump her father into the picture as well. I think as far as role models for young teenage girls go, Miley Cyrus does a good job. Not slutty on screen and not crazy off.

[Walt]

Please. Let's leave the blame for that 65% where it belongs...with their parents. Why is it so easy these days to shift blame to someone else?

[D]

Consumer Report magazine. Hollywood gossip. this is one of the best oxymoron i have ever seen. almost as bad as military intelligence or President Bush

[Theresa]

I can't believe the ignorance in your comments. It is a big deal! Motor vehicle crashes are the leading killer of teenagers...and the number one reason is because they are not wearing their seat belts. Front seat...back seat..it doesn't matter. You need to wear your seat belt no matter where you are sitting in the vehicle. Being in the back seat doesn't prevent you from being ejected or from killing someone else in the vehicle as you fly around the interior. Bottom line...Seat belts save lives.

[tiffany]

PLEASE it is a movie....would you do something dangerous that is displayed in other movies just because it is in a movie? What about movies that have scenes with murder, rape, suicide? Do you commit these acts just because you see them on television or in the theatre? NO

[KD]

I think it's time for some people to get a life.. it was after all a movie.. make believe.. this nanny mentallity of do good feel good is getting out of hand.. let people just enjoy the entertainment.. not everything has to have a politically correct story line nor message.

Keep the gov't, special interest groups and the nannies and the thought police out of my life.

[Amanda Smith]

The most important role model for teens is THEIR PARENTS, not Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus.
If parents are setting a good example regarding auto safety (and everything else), then it doesn't matter what kids see famous people doing. The best and most valuable lessons are learned at home.
This is an opportunity for parents to discuss the issue with their kids--and remind their children that Billy Ray wasn't setting the example he should have for his own child.

[Amber]

I have a question. Does the media just loathe when they can't find dirt on a celeb? I mean this girl has stood up for her faith by remaining a clean, positive influence. Seriously? You want to bust on somebody for not setting a good example. OK?! How bout the Commtitee of people who selected Amy Winehouse to win Grammys? She's been caught on video in recent weeks doing the worst drugs imaginable, yet we reward her. Wow, what message does that send to our young people? Yay, NO CONSEQUENCES. Or how about Nickelodeon contemplating a special on sex...oh, thats golden. My 6 year old really needs to know what happens there(please, note the sarcasm)...So, before poking at Miley Cyrus and her dad, find some real news...like chldren starving in Africa, or the drug problem amongst the nation's teens or I don't know, the positive things going on in Iraq like schools being built by our soldiers and contractors, wells being dug for safe drinking water or young girls being able to be educated for the first time.

[MZ]

It is amazing to me that journalism has come to this. I was lucky enough to take my daughters to both her concert and the movie. The Hannah Montana show is on in our house everyday. It is hard to find a kid her age that does what she does, and does it with class. She has always worn age appropriate clothing and has maintained a postive role in her shows and anything else she has done. Dont you think you have enough "bad girls" on the list to write about. Why does the media want to "create" another one. Leave her alone and complete your mission of ruining Britney's life.........

[Nathan K]

Seriously, you people should not be bugging her with this. To quote "Even worse, in the 13- to 15-year-old age group, that percentage climbs to 65 percent" if this is true, then the parents or the driver of the car is responsible not a tv show. I am a parent and the first thing that I do when I get in the car with my daughter is to make sure that she has her seat belt on.

[RG]

Poor choice of stories. The fact that they are not wearing seatbelts is completely missed by those caught up in the excitement of the movie.......until of course you point it out. Leave the sensationalism to the tabloids and Fox news and stand out as a trusted and respected source if you truly want to set yourself apart in todays market.

[Dave c]

Come on people !!!!!!!! With all that is wrong with this world,you are going to freak out because a star and her father were not wearing their safety belts in a movie ,on a controlled movie set [ that means they are driving on closed roads ].Come on America worry about something else!!!!!!!!!!

[Eric]

You have got to be kidding me. Here's an idea. How about parents teach their children to use seatbelts? How about parents actually teach their children right from wrong and safe from dangerous, instead of letting celebrities do it for you? How about turning the stinking TV off every once in a while and having some family time where parents and kids actually interact? Gosh, I hate stupid people!

[Belt]

Just curious...did anybody notice that three killings were done with handguns just the other day..one a husband killing a teacher-his wife. Why dont we get a little more serious about actors shooting each other in movies (and society not being okay with it) versus whether somebody chooses not to wear a seatbelt. Seems our priorities on how we 'may die' is a little messed up.. !

[Mike]

If this is the worst dirt you can dig up on Miley Cyrus, I suggest you make her a role model for every young girl in the country.

[Mike]

Wow! Pretty soon they will start criticizing her because she is driving in a Range Rover instead of a vehicle that an average family can afford.

[Mike]

What !!!!!!!! OMG ( Using the kid lingo ) :-) * footnote I made a smiley face.. with all the technology available today maybe the car shouldn't start with out the belt being latched.... hum..now there is an idea !!
Nice that you had TIME to watch the flick and notice - thanks for pointing it out .. but get over it, producer problem not a Miley problem - get mad a Mickey Mouse coz I'm sure he and Mini didn't wear em in their TV stuff either.