TOPEKA,
Kan. — Law enforcement agencies across Kansas will be taking a no-excuses
approach to saving lives around this Memorial Day weekend. Tickets will be
issued to unbuckled occupants as a harsh reminder of the importance of seat
belt use at all times.
More
than 50 percent of traffic fatalities in Kansas in 2017 were unrestrained. Many
of these individuals could have survived the car crash if they had only worn
their seat belt. That’s why law enforcement across the state is stepping up
enforcement with the Click It. Or Ticket. campaign that runs May 20 through
June 2.
“The
Click it. Or ticket. campaign isn’t about issuing citations, it’s about saving
lives,” said Technical Trooper Ben Gardner, of the Kansas Highway Patrol “Too
many people die in motor vehicle crashes who could have survived if they had
only buckled up.”
It
is prohibited to drive or ride as a passenger in a motor vehicle without
wearing a seat belt for a good reason. In 2017, 53 percent of the 316 deaths
from automobile crashes in Kansas were not buckled. Pick-up truck drivers,
young adults and males are among some of the worst offenders and most at-risk.
“Frustratingly,
there are still people out there who do not take that extra second to buckle
up,” said Chris Bortz, KDOT Traffic Safety Program Manager. “Any adult not
wearing their seat belt could be issued a $30 traffic citation. Make a better
decision and buckle up, every trip, every time.”
In
2018, the Kansas observed seat belt usage was 84 percent, below the national
average of 90 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. Education coupled with enforcement can raise this rate
and ultimately save lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment