FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Memorial Day marked the unofficial start of summer travel, but the Indiana State Police (ISP) are still increasing patrols focused on seatbelt usage. From May 17 through May 31, Fort Wayne area Troopers will join police officers across the state in a national campaign aimed at promoting safe driving habits, including the use of seatbelts.
“To kick off the summer travel season, it’s critical to remind all motorists that wearing a seatbelt is not just the law; it’s something that can save your life,” said Douglas Huntsinger, Executive Director for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “Our goal is simple – we want everyone to make it home safely. Buckling up is the first step in achieving that goal.”
ISP released the following:
This high-visibility enforcement campaign is part of a nationwide effort funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through grants administered by the ICJI. During the campaign, the Indiana State Police will adopt a no-excuses approach to enforcement, issuing citations to anyone not properly restrained.
Fort Wayne District Commander, Lt. Corey Culler says, “We hope our efforts during this time will be noticed and we can help reinforce positive driving behaviors and seatbelt usage. Putting on your seatbelt is still the best advantage one can have in any sort of collision. We care about your safety and want you to make it home safe, every time!”
Indiana has shown strong compliance with its seatbelt laws. The ICJI’s latest observational survey found that 93.6% of Indiana drivers wear their seatbelts. While this is encouraging, there is still work to be done to reach the remaining 6.4% of drivers who put themselves at risk.
“Seatbelts are one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect yourself on the road,” said Jim Bryan, Traffic Safety Director for ICJI. “Putting on a seatbelt takes just a few seconds but can make all the difference in the event of a crash. You are taking a dangerous risk if you’re not buckled up.”
Research consistently shows that seatbelts can reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash by up to 65%. Without a seatbelt, individuals are at a higher risk of being ejected from a vehicle, which can lead to fatal outcomes.
For additional information about seat belt safety, click HERE
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