Nixon stresses seat belts after accident

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says his involvement in a recent traffic accident provided an important lesson: Wear a seat belt.

Nixon was not wearing one earlier this month when the highway patrol car in which he was riding was rear-ended on a Jefferson City highway. He suffered some neck pain but was treated and released from a hospital.

Nixon said Monday that he was reaching down for a briefcase on the other side of the vehicle when the accident occurred. But he said he should have been wearing a seat belt.

"I would recommend that all Missourians -- including me -- wear a seat belt whenever available," he said.

Because Nixon was in the back seat, he was not required by Missouri law to wear a seat belt.