Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for May 22, 2007 CLICK IT OR TICKET

From the Southern Illinoisan...

State police to crack down on seatbelt offenders

BY JOHN D. HOMAN, THE SOUTHERN

DU QUOIN - Buckle up or face the consequences.

State police are teaming up with the Illinois Department of Transportation this holiday weekend to enforce their "Click It or Ticket" safety belt campaign.

District 13 Lt. Tom Stehley said officers will be conducting the crackdown through Memorial Day with a special night time enforcement Thursday.

"About 30 percent of vehicular accidents result in people being ejected from the vehicle," Stehley said. "And we have found that seatbelt compliance goes down after dark, which is why we're doing the night time enforcement."

Fines are $55 for offenders.

"We have a zero tolerance policy," Stehley said. "If we stop you and you are not wearing your seatbelt, you will be issued a citation."

District 22 Capt. Harry Masse, in conjunction with sheriff's departments from Union, Pulaski and Alexander counties and city police from Cairo, Mounds and Ullin, said it's important that motorists exercise caution when driving this holiday period and to make sure to buckle their seatbelts.

District 22 will participate in a Combined Accident Reduction Effort (CARE) program of high visibility enforcement aimed at reducing traffic crashes.

"Memorial Day is traditionally the first busy day of the upcoming summer season," Masse said. "Our interstates are crowded with cars leaving town to get away for the long weekend. In addition, there are numerous vehicles pulling campers and boats, as well as people on motorcycles."

Masse said the holiday also can be a dangerous one for motorists with speed, alcohol consumption and the failure to use seatbelts and child safety seats.

"You can expect to see numerous police officers from our agencies vigorously enforcing the traffic laws," Masse said. "We want you to have fun, but we want you to be responsible. Watch your speed, limit your alcohol consumption and ensure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up."

Danny Chapman, compliancy manager with IDOT, said the number of Illinois drivers using seatbelts has increased to 88 percent, up considerably from 76 percent at the time the law went into effect in 2003.

"It is our hope that by 2008, we will have 90 percent compliance," Chapman said. "This particular enforcement period will be an intense one. There will be 25 enforcement zones in Williamson County alone."

Chapman said vehicle fatalities were lower last year (1,254) than at any time since 1924 (1,065).