DATE: Thursday, May 05, 2016
SUBJECT: “Click It or Ticket” Seatbelt Enforcement Blitz
RELEASE NUMBER: 2016-NR-028
CONTACT: Lt. Noah Robinson
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
During a news conference earlier today, representatives of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Traffic Safety Partnership (which includes the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and the Evansville Police Department) along with the Indiana State Police announced details about and answered questions related to the upcoming statewide “Click It or Ticket” Seatbelt Enforcement Blitz. This high-visibility enforcement effort, also known as Operation Pull Over Blitz #86, will run from Friday, May 06 through Monday, May 30.
Sheriff Dave Wedding of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office explained, “According to ICJI, in 2015, there were 818 fatalities on Indiana roadways. Of those fatalities, 33 percent were unrestrained.” Sheriff Wedding added, “This statistic shows how dangerous not buckling up truly is, considering Indiana’s overall seatbelt compliance rate is nearly 92%. Regardless of the type of vehicle, seat belts and child safety seats save lives.”
Indiana law enforcement agencies have been actively involved in the Click It or Ticket campaign for over 20 years. In addition, for 2016, Indiana agencies will join those from across the Eastern half of the United States in a combined “Border to Border” mobilization. On May 23 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. this shared increased blitz will drive home the zero tolerance message, that no matter what state you’re in, driving or riding unbuckled will result in a ticket.
Law enforcement will be specifically looking for seatbelt and child safety seat violations during the May blitz as well as during the high intensity enforcement period on May 23. “Our goal is not to write tickets,” Sheriff Wedding remarked, “our goal is to save lives.”
Enhanced local enforcement is made possible by funding provided by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) through a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Related story: Memorial High School Students assist VCSO with Seatbelt Use Survey
Pictured above: Members of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Evansville Police Department and Indiana State Police with Ms. Kim Bell’s driver education class at Reitz Memorial Hight School.
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