NCJ Number
124631
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 57 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1990) Pages: 54-56
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
One of the highest priority concerns of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is occupant protection.
Abstract
The increased use of safety belts and child restraint devices has contributed to the lowest highway fatality rate in history. A 70 percent usage rate by 1992 may be possible if the police community becomes an aggressive partner in Federal, State, and community efforts toward safety belt acceptance. One of the most serious obstacles facing law enforcement when it comes to safety belt compliance is the fact that many police officers do not routinely wear seat belts when operating a police vehicle. Every police department in the United States should have a well-documented and enforceable safety belt policy. It is also important for police to enforce all applicable laws regarding safety belts and child restraints. Safety belt compliance rates are sustained for longer periods when increased enforcement strategy is coupled with a public information and education campaign that focuses on the safety benefits of using belts.