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In a stepped-up
effort to increase seat belt use, the Santa Monica Police Department
will join law enforcement in California and across the nation during
Buckle Up America/Operation ABC (America Buckles ups Childrens)
Mobilization, November 25, 2002 through December 1, 2002.
In California, the
mobilization is part of the California Seat Belt Compliance Campaign,
designed to increase the state’s 91.1 percent seat belt use rate to
92 percent by 2003. The remaining 8.9 percent, or, “late eight”
equals roughly 3.1 million vehicle occupants – more than the
population of 21 states. The Campaign also includes a second
mobilization period, May 19-26, 2003.
The Mobilization
focuses on all drivers and vehicle occupants in California who fail to
wear seat belts. Of particular attention, according to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), are teen drivers
between 16 and 18 years of age, who are at a deadly intersection of
driving and high-risk behavior.
Last year in
California, 1,268 vehicle occupants lost their lives in traffic
collisions. Of this number, approximately 45 percent (571) of these
lives could have been saved had they remembered to buckle up.
“No matter how
short a trip you’re going on, and no matter where you’re going,
the message is this: remember to wear your seat belt. Our slogan is
‘Remember or Be Remembered,’ and we want to make sure everyone in
the car is buckled up.”
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