By Anna Skinner
Residents in Carmel and across the country can expect more police officers on patrol looking for seat belt violations. “Click It or Ticket,” a program funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, will place more officers out on the streets May 18 to 31 to specifically search for seat belt violations.
Officers will also be checking to make sure children are safely buckled in to their car seats.
“Wearing your seat belt can increase your chance of surviving a crash by more than 50 percent,” said Hamilton County Sheriff Mark Bowen. “This campaign provides us the opportunity to increase the conversation and focus patrols toward unrestrained driving. We want to remind drivers and their occupants that if we see you unbelted, we will pull you over.”
“I think it’s a great thing. I really don’t pay attention to people wearing seatbelts, but it’s a thing everybody should do. It shouldn’t be a question,” Peggy Clark, Noblesville resident, said.
Surrounding communities are also part of this month’s patrol.
“Certainly safety is the key,” said Zionsville Police Department Capt. Robert Musgrave. “You’re 50 percent more likely to survive an accident with your seat belt on than with it off.”
Most accidents take place at speeds of less than 40 miles per hour and within 25 miles of home, he said.
“There’s a lot of research and statistics that talk about seatbelt usage reducing injuries and saving lives. It increases your chance of survival by 50 percent. There is nothing else to stop unbelted motorists from hitting the windshield or other items in the vehicle,” Noblesville Police Department Captain Brad Arnold said.
Learn more about “Click It or Ticket” at www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/ciot/index.html.
