BPD focusing on seat belt usage

Wednesday, 06 June 2012 by Matthew Girard

In hopes of raising awareness and ultimately to save lives, the Belton Police Department is partnering with the Texas Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to concentrate on seat belt usage from May 21-June 3.

"We maintain a year-round strategy to curb reckless or irresponsible driving, but it's more a public awareness week for us," BPD Det. Sgt. Larry Berg said. "Throughout the year, we try to warn people and some times issue citations for not wearing seat belts."

During the week, citations will be issued to motorists not wearing seat belts, whether riding in the front of back seat of a vehicle.

The "Click it or Ticket" campaign began in Texas in 2002 and at that time, only 76 percent of Texans were using their seat belts. By 2011, more than 93 percent were buckling up thanks to the campaign. Texas currently ranks seventh in the nation for the highest seat belt use.

"It saves lives," Berg said. "One of the worst things is to find people bouncing around inside their car. A lot of time, it's the secondary trauma that does the most damage."

The BPD will be out in force ensuing motorists are wearing their seat belts.

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