Untitled Document

ITD, law enforcement officers step up seat belt enforcement

ITD joins the Idaho State Police and other law enforcement agencies statewide to make highways safer by funding high- visibility seat belt patrols beginning Monday (May 23) and continuing through June 7. During the campaign, Idaho State Police troopers will increase enforcement of speed limits and traffic laws and cite drivers/occupants who are unbelted.

"Those occupants wearing a seatbelt during a speed-related crash increase their chance of survival greatly," says Lt. Kevin Haight.

In 2009, almost 60 percent of those killed in an aggressive driving crash were not wearing their seat belt.

The following statewide data supports the cause:

85 Idahoans killed in car crashes were unrestrained
28 percent of those Idahoans who were seriously injured were unrestrained.
78 percent of the fatal aggressive driving crashes occur in rural areas
According to NHTSA, seat belts are 50 percent effective in preventing fatalities/serious injuries.