FPD to target seat belt laws

Fairfield Police Department joins state and area law enforcement agencies and highway safety groups in supporting an aggressive national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign from May 18-31.

Police will be ticketing unbelted vehicle occupants around the clock.

"Consistent research has shown that fewer people are buckling up at night, when the risk of being in a fatal crash is highest," Police Chief Kenny Bulger says. "That's why Texas police will be out in force at night as well as during the day to make sure that drivers and passengers take seat belts, and seat belt laws, seriously."

During 2007, more than 14,000 people in passenger vehicles died in crashes while unbelted. About half of these lives could have been saved if they had been wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

The numbers are worse at night than during the day, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports.

Nationwide in 2007, 14,464 passenger vehicle occupants died in highway crashes during evening and nighttime hours, and fully 63 percent of those killed were not wearing seat belts.

By contrast, during daylight hours, 45 percent (5,917) of those killed were not wearing seat belts.

Bulger notes that, when worn correctly, seat belts have been proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent, and by 60 percent in pickup trucks, sports utility vehicles and minivans.

"Seat belts clearly save lives. But, unfortunately, too many folks still need a tough reminder, so we are going to be out in force day and night in 2009 buckling down on those who are not buckled up," Bulger says.