November 25, 2013
Marshall County - The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and to help save lives on our roadways, Marshall County Sheriff's Office Deputies will be teaming with other state and local law enforcement officers across the country to crack down on seat belt violations. The Thanksgiving Holiday Special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) runs Monday November 25th-Sunday December 1st.
During the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday period, 249 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. Fifty percent of those killed were not wearing seat belts. Last year 9 people were killed on Iowa roadways during that same time.
You will see law enforcement out in force during the long weekend, and they'll be showing zero tolerance for anyone who is not wearing a seatbelt. The goal is simple: to strictly enforce the law in order to save more lives.
In Iowa anyone, any age, riding in the front seat of the vehicle, and anyone under age 18 in the rear seat must wear a seatbelt. Children under age 6 must be in some form of a child safety seat secured by the vehicle seatbelt system. Citations for Failure to Use Seatbelts are $132.50. Child restraint violations result in a $200 citation.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts saved almost 12,000 lives nationwide in 2011. In fact, research shows that with proper seat belt use, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.
Yet, too many people are still not getting the message. In 2011, 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle crashes did NOT wear seat belts at the time of the crash.
Whether you're traveling across the country or just across town, one of the best ways to ensure a safe arrival is to always buckle up. Yet too many motorists still need a tough reminder to buckle up. It's a simple step that each of us can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
The goal of traffic enforcement is move "Toward Zero Deaths". This campaign is based on the question of how many deaths are acceptable on Iowa roadways. More specifically how many traffic crash deaths are acceptable for YOUR FAMILY---the answer is ZERO.
Don't risk it on the road this Thanksgiving. Wear your seat belt so you can arrive alive to spend the holidays celebrating with your loved ones and return home safely.
About Marshall County Sheriff's Office
The Marshall County, Iowa Sheriff's Office is headed up by Sheriff Ted G. Kamatchus. Sheriff Kamatchus is committed to keeping communities and neighborhoods safe in Marshall County.
For additional information or a sample copy, contact:
Deputy Ben Veren
Marshall County Sheriff's Office
641-754-6380
Fax 641-754-6325
Sheriff@co.marshall.ia.us
www.marshallcountysheriff.com
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