News Release from: Clark Co. Sheriff's Office
SEATBELT TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT EMPHASIS - CLICK IT OR TICKET MAY 16TH-21ST, 2012
Posted: May 16th, 2012 11:03 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2012
Contacts:
Marion Swendsen Clark County Target Zero Manager, 360-397-2421, marion.swendsen@clark.wa.gov
Sgt. Dennis Pritchard, CCSO Traffic Homicide Unit, 360-397-6127, dennis.pritchard@clark.wa.gov
Ten Years After Adopting "Click It or Ticket"
(Clark County, WA) In June 2002, when the primary seat belt law went into effect, approximately 82 percent of Washington drivers wore seat belts. Today we celebrate a seat belt use rate of 97.5, marking the seventh consecutive year of more than 95 percent of Washingtonians buckling up.
The medical costs of an unbuckled motorist average $11,000 more per collision than those who buckle up according to data from Harborview Injury Prevention Research Center. After the adoption of the Click it or Ticket project, with the primary seat belt law enforcement, the number of traffic deaths dropped from 658 in 2002 to 455 in 2011 (preliminary data WTSC).
"Ten years ago we hoped that we could make an impact on the number of traffic fatalities if we could increase seat belt use," said Dr. Beth Ebel, Director of the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center and University of Washington Associate Professor of Pediatrics. "Now we have one of the highest seat belt use rates in the nation. We have prevented thousands of serious injuries and deaths. Buckling up is the routine."
Studies show seat belt use decreases the chance of dying in a crash by 60 percent and reduces the risk of head injury by 80 percent. The seat belt law is a primary enforcement law in Washington, so an officer can pull over a vehicle if a driver or passenger is not buckled up.
That's why between May 21 and June 3, motorists in Clark County can expect to see law enforcement patrolling city and county roadways in search of unbuckled drivers and passengers. The Clark County Sheriff's Office, Washington State Patrol, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and Vancouver Police Depts. will all be teaming up and participating in these extra patrols, with the support of the Clark County Target Zero Traffic Safety Task Force.
For additional information about the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, visit www.wtsc.wa.gov.
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