From Oct. 24 – Oct. 28, Wellington Police will be cracking down on seat belt wearing
Sumner Newscow report — Beginning October 24 through October 28, 2022, WPD will join other Kansas law enforcement agencies to stop what has been likened to an epidemic in Kansas. In 2019, eight children, ages 0-13, lost their lives due to car crashes in Kansas. Sadly, 62 percent of those children were not wearing their seat belts.
More than ever, folks are aware that it is important to make sure children have received their immunizations to prevent deadly diseases. We may not often think that wearing a seatbelt properly is the best prevention of serious injury or death in a vehicle.
According to the 2019 Kansas observational seat-belt survey, children are much more likely to be buckled up if the driver is wearing their seatbelt. If the driver is buckled, about 97 percent of the children are restrained. If the driver is not buckled, only about 30 percent of the observed children were buckled. We want adults to model good driving behaviors for children.
From October 24 through October 28, 2022, law enforcement across Kansas will be extra-vigilant when patrolling around schools. For more than 20 years, officers have educated and warned drivers and passengers regarding the importance of using seatbelts while in their vehicles.
There should be no surprises when it comes to this enforcement effort. Officers will issue citations to anyone who does not obey Kansas seat belt law.
Even one child’s death is unacceptable. Please slow down, especially in school zones, eliminate distractions, and always buckle up.
For the latest data and to see more about Kansas safety belt laws, go to: www.ktsro.org
