NEWS RELEASE

Impressive Results of Recent Nighttime Seat Belt Enforcement Patrols

Localized versions of this news release were distributed statewide - customized by location.

June 18, 2009

Between May 21 and June 7 extra law enforcement patrols canvassed Thurston County roadways at nighttime looking for unbuckled motorists, and they found that and more.

Of the 81 citations written during the patrols in Thurston County, 75 were seatbelt violations. In addition, three speeding infractions were issued, and six uninsured motorists, and three drivers with suspended or revoked licenses were stopped and cited.

Statewide, during the patrols, law enforcement officers and the WSP wrote 4,950 citations total, including 3,122 seatbelt violations.

The message to buckle up is ongoing – patrols will continue through the summer.  Motorists need to Click it or they will get a Ticket.  Studies show that a person wearing a seatbelt has a 70% better chance of surviving a crash than a non-belted person.

Law enforcement from Thurston County and about 70 other police and sheriff agencies, as well as the State Patrol, worked the extra patrols, funded by a grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.