COMMUNITY REPORT

By Major Randall Snead, Greene County Sheriff’s Office
Published: May 22, 2008

This May, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office will be partnering with law enforcement across Virginia and the nation to increase seat belt use with the Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization in an effort to save more lives on Virginia’s roadways.
According to preliminary numbers from DMV: The Virginia Highway Safety Office, there were 1,026 fatalities in Virginia in 2007. Of those, 451 involved no restraint use. In 2006, 62 percent of all passenger vehicle occupants killed in fatal crashes were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
Too many Virginians still take the attitude that it will never happen to them. But, fatal crashes can and do happen every day. Virginia has made a lot of progress, but there are still too many fatalities due to not wearing a seat belt in our state.
Men - especially younger men (between 18-34 years old) - are still much less likely to buckle up. In 2006, in Virginia, 78 percent of male drivers and 77 percent of male passengers between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
Clearly, regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect yourself and others to reduce injuries and fatalities in crashes. Of the passenger vehicle occupants involved in fatal crashes in Virginia in 2006, the 55 percent that were restrained survived the crash. When worn correctly, seat belts have proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and by 60 percent in pickup trucks, SUV’s and mini-vans.
The Greene County Sheriff’s Office will be out in force ticketing all motorists that are violating traffic laws in Virginia with a particular emphasis being placed on lack of seat belt and child safety seat use. Special checkpoints and other stepped up law enforcement activities will be conducted during the Mobilization May 18-June 2.
“There are still too many people dying or being injured as a result of not buckling up. Virginia experienced the highest number of fatalities in 2007 that we have seen in a decade, and that has to stop,” Major Randall Snead said. “That’s why this May and throughout the year, we are increasing enforcement to continue to impress upon all citizens that seat belt use is a must when getting into any vehicle.” Major Snead went on to say, “Regular use of seat belts clearly saves lives; unfortunately, too many folks in Virginia still need a tough reminder that wearing a seat belt is the absolute best way to protect themselves in a crash, so we are here to tell everyone, that the Greene County Sheriff’s Office has zero tolerance when it comes to not buckling up. Please remember, buckle up everyone, every ride.
Wearing your seat belt costs you nothing, but not wearing it could cost you a ticket or worse - your life. Please remember to buckle up day and night - Click It or Ticket