OPD Launches Seat Belt Initiative

The Owensboro Police Department has launched its new community-wide traffic safety campaign.

Buckle Up Owensboro: Seat Belts Save Lives! has been initiated to spearhead the creation of a "seat belt community" in Owensboro that will serve as a role model for other counties, cities and states.

Motor vehicles crashes are the leading cause of death for citizens in Kentucky with 521 highway fatalities reported in 2014.

61% of those involved in those fatal crashes were not wearing seat belts. A person's chances of survival in a vehicle crash increase greatly with the usage of lap/shoulder seat belts. When used properly, they reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent.

The implementation of the primary seat belt law in 2006 improved the seat belt usage rate from 67.2 to 86.1 percent. But more than one in ten drivers still don't buckle up.

One of the key campaign elements of Buckle Up Owensboro: Seat Belts Save Lives! is the formation of a Buckle Up Owensboro Seat Belt Coalition that Deputy Chief Jeff Speed of the OPD will chair. It will consist of community leaders and interested citizens.

These coalition members and the OPD will reach out to high schools and local businesses to share educational materials, host events, and conduct media outreach.

Kentucky's primary seat belt, booster seat and car seat laws are outlined below:

• Kentucky’s “Primary Seat Belt Law” allows law enforcement officers to
stop a vehicle solely for an occupant restraint violation and not to rely on
another violation to initiate the traffic stop;

• Drivers can be cited for anyone in the vehicle who is not buckled up;

• All drivers and passengers must wear a properly adjusted and fastened
seat belt;

• Any driver of a motor vehicle, when transporting a child of 40 inches in
height or less shall have the child properly secured in a child restraint
system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards;

• Any driver of a motor vehicle, when transporting a child under the age of 8
years who is between 40 inches and 57 inches in height shall have the
child properly secured in a child booster seat.

Those who are not properly restrained can face a fine of $25.

If you need more information or would like to join the coalition, please
contact Lt. Gordon Black at 270-687-8827.