Miley Cyrus’ dad apologizes for not wearing seatbelt

Miley Cyrus and her father Billy Cyrus have apologized to fans after they were filmed riding in the back seat of a Range Rover not wearing their seatbelt.

"We got caught up in the moment of filming, and we made a mistake and forgot to buckle our seatbelts," Billy Ray Cyrus says of a scene in his daughter's new film, Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour. "Seatbelt safety is extremely important."

In a posting titled "Note to Hannah Montana: Seat belts are necessary not an accessory," website Consumer Reports took issue with a scene in the film in which Miley, 15, and her dad, 46, are "riding in the back seat of a Range Rover on the way to rehearsal for the concert tour. Neither was wearing a seat belt," the posting read.

"Why should we care?" the posting continued. "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."

Observed Consumer Reports: "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.' "

By Owen Williams, Feb 13 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy