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Theme Is
"Remember, or Be Remembered"
Police Chief James T.
Butts, Jr., is warning vehicle drivers and passengers that seat belt
enforcement will be increased during the period of November 17, 2003,
through November 30, 2003, which includes the upcoming Thanksgiving
Holiday. This time period runs concurrent with the National Buckle Up
America Mobilization and is part of the California Seat Belt
Compliance Campaign.
"Since most
crashes occur within 5 miles of home, wearing a seat belt and using
child safety seats is the most effective action a person can take to
protect themselves and their loved ones from injury or death in a
traffic collision", said Chief Butts.
The seat belt use
rate for 2003 in California is 91.2%; however, the 8.8% of the
population who fails to buckle up represents more than 3 million
people - the population of 21 states.
Last year in
California, 1,268 unbelted 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.
Research reveals that
people who fail to buckle up justify their irresponsible behavior with
one of the following excuses:
"I forgot."
"I'm only taking
a short trip."
"Seat belts are
uncomfortable."
A month long public
information campaign will use the slogan, "Seat Belts. Remember.
Or be remembered." That message will be emphasized by radio and
TV ads, and billboards proclaiming, "Seat belts or body bags *
One size fits all"!
A grant from the
Office of Traffic Safety, obtained through the California Business,
Transportation & Housing Agency, will fund officer overtime to
enforce the seat belt and child passenger safety laws.
For additional
information, please contact the Santa Monica Police Department's
Traffic Enforcement Division at 310 458-8993.
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