Ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend travel period, University of Alabama researchers are sharing statistics that show the role seat belts play in saving lives in traffic crashes. According to the Center for Advanced Public Safety (CAPS), current numbers show more than 90 percent of people in Alabama are wearing seat belts. However, in more than 60 percent of traffic deaths in Alabama, victims are not wearing seat belts. “That shows just how critical it is to wear your seat belt,” CAPS Associate Director Rhonda Stricklin said. “Because most people are, over 90 percent are, but yet, 60 percent of fatalities are not belted. So it just shows that that’s what makes the difference.” Sources: Fox 6 (Birmingham), WSFA-NBC (Montgomery), WAFF-NBC (Huntsville)