ARKANSAS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES READY
TO BUCKLE-DOWN ON MOTORISTS NOT BUCKLED-UP
DAY & NIGHT – MAY 18 – 31
MAY 11, 2009
Arkansas continues to exceed a national trend in the
number of nighttime (6 PM to 5:59 AM) deaths from motor vehicle highway
crashes in which the victims were not wearing seat belts.
A review of calendar year 2007 statistical data compiled by the Arkansas
State Police Highway Safety Office indicates there were 236 nighttime
passenger vehicle occupant deaths. Further analysis indicates 74
percent of the victims were not wearing seat belts compared to 56
percent of those who died not wearing a seatbelt during daylight hours.
Comparatively across the nation during the same reporting period, there
were 14,464 deaths attributed to motor vehicle crashes during nighttime
hours. Sixty-three percent of the victims were not wearing a seat belt.
During daylight hours however, the percentage declines to 45 percent.
Along Arkansas roadways during 2007 there were 281 individuals who died
in passenger vehicle crashes while not wearing a seat belt. It’s
estimated about half of those lives may have been saved had the
individuals been wearing seat belts.
The Arkansas State Police is joining state and local law enforcement
agencies and highway safety groups in supporting an aggressive national
Click It Or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign from May 18 through
May 31. Police will be ticketing unbelted vehicle occupants around the
clock, night and day.
“Consistent research has shown that fewer people are buckling up at
night, when the risk of being in a fatal crash is greatest,” said
Colonel Winford E. Phillips, Director of the Arkansas State Police and
Governor Mike Beebe’s Highway Safety representative.
“Arkansas law enforcement agencies will be out in force at night as well
as during the day to make sure that drivers and passengers take seat
belts and seat belt laws seriously.”
Colonel Phillips added that regular seat belt use is the single most
effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities from motor vehicle
crashes. He noted that when worn correctly, seat belts have been proven
to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants
by 45 percent, and by 60 percent in pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans.
Seat belts are the single most effective piece of safety equipment in a
vehicle, yet NHTSA observational studies show that nearly one out of
five Americans fail to wear a seat belt when driving or riding in a
motor vehicle.
Stepped-up law enforcement activities will be conducted during the 2009
Click It Or Ticket mobilization period from May 18-31. The mobilization
is being supported by an $8 million national paid advertising campaign,
which along with additional state advertising, will encourage every
driver and passenger to buckle up, especially at night.
“Seat belts save lives,” Colonel Phillips said. “But unfortunately, too
many folks still need a tough reminder, so we are going to be out in
force day and night this year buckling down on those who are not buckled
up.”
“Wearing your seat belt costs you nothing. Unless you want to risk a
ticket, or worse, your life, please remember to buckle up night and day.
Don’t forget, Click It Or Ticket isn’t just a campaign slogan, it’s a
promise.”
For more information about safety belts, child safety seats and booster
seats, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site
at www.nhtsa.gov or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office (501)
618-8136.
