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

[affected]

even though this is not breaking news, it is important for kids to see those they look up to, making responsible decisions. you would be surprised to know how many deaths could be prevented if seat belts had been worn. teach your children to be safe.

[Franklin]

No news here, just an organization trying to be a parent. Enjoy the movie, and if things like this bother you, then teach your children what you want them to know.

Can't you find the good in things, and not look for the bad that will benefit your position? Chill out, life is never perfect.

[Ridnhigh]

Seat Belts? Thats your big complaint. Get a grip. It is a free country and the government needs to start serving the people again and not the special interests. In this case the insurance companies. We now live in a country For the Corporation, Of the Corportation and bought By the corporation. First the government makes you wear seatbelts, whats next? Spying on its citizens. Oh, I forgot they already do that.

[Teresa]

It is just a movie!!! Did anyone tell you guys that movies are must pretend!! There are lots of things that happen in movies that are not safe,not to mention immorral. So please, don't sweat the small stuff! Give the kid a break and don't make such a big deal over the things this girl does or she may go off the deep end later in life like some other child stars!

[mephistopholes]

In the state I live in there are absolutely no laws requiring anyone above the height of 4'9" to wear a seatbelt in the backseat. Maybe your time would be better spent writing your local lawmakers asking them to make it mandatory to wear seatbelts in the backseat, instead of trying to make it Hannah Montana's responsibility.

[Jerry]

Who cares? She was in the backseat, big deal. There are worse things that she could be doing (like Britney & Lindsay), but she isn't. So a reporter with nothing better to do brings attention to something this rediculous.

[Zepeleven]

Are you kidding me?? This is news-worthy?? Yes, because we all do everything we see on television and in the movies. I've tried a few of the Jackass stunts myself, as well as walking a "Spider-Pig" on the ceiling like Homer Simpson...OMG, PETA would have a field day with that!! Give us a break already! She just seems to be the next in line to pick on.

[colin]

Absolute idiots. This is the most ridiculous thing i have ever read. this is everything that is wrong with our country.

[L]

And so when did Miley become responsible for what our kids do? Yet again, we shift the blame from the parents to someone else! When my kids get in the car, the first thing they do is reach for their seatbelt. Why? Well definately not because Miley "buckles up", but because they have been told to do this since they were little kids and it's just a matter of routine for them. I would bet that 99% of the kids that have seen that movie, didn't even notice that fact, nor would they have if it wasn't reported in the news. Get a life and report some "REAL" news!

[Melinda]

GET OVER IT!!!! Are you kidding me right now?? Not only is there a massive war going on, this country is in the midst of an insane political election, and you can't find anything better to write about?? Are you serious?? SHE IS 15 not 6!!!! Again i say "GET OVER IT"!!!!!!!!!!

[CJ]

In Minnesota, the law is that children over 11 can ride in the back seat without wearing a seat belt.

[Bruce Jackson]

Although I agree she is a role model for young people and everyone in a motor vehicle should use seat belts, she was in NY state and state law requires only front passengers buckle up.

[Debra Louden]

With eveything else that is happening in the world, you could only find this to write about???? You have reached a new level of stupidity. Leave the child alone. She's not the poster child for safety so don't make her out to be the bad guy. It's up to us, the parents, to teach our children to buckle up. Put the responsibility where it should be, not where you have to try and find news.

[DwayneL]

This is completely stupid!! I didn't wear seat belts as a kid and I still don't and I don't need some idiots telling me what I should or shouldn't do.

[Dennis Gutknecht]

You're right about the seat belt, but your message comes across as smug and demeaning. It appears to be a cheap shot at a young girl, no matter how famous. You could have quietly sent Disney a message pointing out the mistake, but you chose to publicly attack Miss Cyrus and her father. Try to be a little less smug the next time.

[TM]

We noticed that first off in the movie. It DOES matter whether you're in the front or back seat in a crash. Anything not belted down becomes a moving projectile, not only could she harm herself she could harm someone else. I agree that she and her father should have been wearing their seatbelts, not only to set an example....but to abide by the law. I still can't believe that in today's society we have the backwards way of thinking that seatbelts are 'optional' or 'occasional'!!

[Casey]

I happen to think this is great. There are so many young kids being influenced by celebrities that even a small thing as wearing your seatbelt could affect them. We need more good role models like this, instead of those other celebs that keep making the news.

[asphaltguru]

Good job!!! This should knock her down a few notches and maybe give Brittney some credability!!!! By the way, I think I saw her jaywalking once!!!

[Nancy]

Give me a break! Yes, Mylie is a good role model for my daughters. However, I do not expect her to be perfect! Let's put it in perspective. Whose responsibility is it to make sure my kids wear their seat belts? It is my responsibility! How about if we stop looking to our entertainers to teach our kids.

[Kimberly McCaskey]

Puhleeeze... it's the back seat?

[discofreakboot]

HOW DOES THIS QUALIFY AS NEWS!

[Miles]

I just watched an episode of HM with my 6 year old granddaughter last night, and I noted with approval that all three backseat occupants of the limo reached for their seatbelts in a prominent manner. So in fairness it should be mentioned that the seatbelt thing is at worst uneven for the show's producers.

[Bman]

Congratulations! You finally found some dirt on Miley Cyrus. You really got some great journalism fact finding schools.

[Hillary Cassin]

OMG who cares if she's not wearing a seat belt! I bet ya the people who wrote this don't even wear their seat belts! So get over it. She may be famous, but she's still just a kid! gees!