Durango Police Department Joins Colorado’s Rural Click It or Ticket Campaign To Crack Down on Seat Belt Use

 

Durango, Colorado – Durango Police Department will join local and State law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates all across Colorado in an effort to save more lives on Colorado’s rural roadways during the special 2011 rural Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization, March 31 – April 6. 

 

Here’s Why…

   54% of deaths on Colorado roadways happen on rural roads.

   252 people died on rural Colorado roadways in 2009

   More than half of the people who died on rural roadways were NOT wearing a seat belt                               

      (compared to 36% in urban areas).

   Seat belt use is much lower in rural areas of Colorado than in urban areas. 

 

During the mobilization, officers will be cracking down on motorists who fail to wear their seat belts. 

 

“Many more traffic deaths can be prevented if more motorists simply start wearing their seat belts.  That’s why the Durango Police Department is strongly supporting enhanced enforcement of seat belt laws during the March 31 – April 6, 2011, Click It or Ticket campaign,” said Chief David Felice. “We will be out in force to remind drivers and occupants to always wear their seat belt.”

 

High-visibility enforcement such as the Click It or Ticket mobilization is credited with increasing the national belt usage rate from 58 percent in 1994 to an observed usage rate of 85 percent in 2010.  Belt use saves thousands of lives each year across America.  In 2009 alone, seat belts saved 12,713 lives nationwide. 

 

“Law enforcement will be cracking down on Click It or Ticket violators.  Local motorist should be prepared to buckle up.  If law enforcement finds you on the road unbuckled anytime or anywhere, you can expect to get a ticket.” said Chief Felice.

 

Remember this March 31 to April 6: It’s Click It or Ticket.  Buckle up and encourage your loved ones to do the same.  You’ll save the cost of a ticket and may even save a life.