Police to step up seat belt enforcement

By Mary Manning

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008 | 5:08 p.m.

Buckle up. Traffic officers from the Henderson Police Department will conduct enhanced enforcement of drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts over the next two weeks.

The officers will use saturation patrols throughout Henderson through Labor Day stop stop vehicles for traffic violations and then check for seatbelt use. Seat belt violations are a secondary offense in Nevada, so officers can only ticket unbelted drivers or passengers after a stop for a separate traffic violation.

Each passenger, even backseat passengers, must wear seat belts.

Studies indicate that people who do not wear seatbelts are more likely to buckle up to avoid getting a ticket than from the possibility of injury or death from a crash.

Seat belts help prevent drivers and passengers from being ejected from the vehicle in the event of a crash. Victims of auto crashes are four times more likely to die if ejected during an accident.

The Henderson Traffic Unit received funds from the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety as part of the Joining Forces Grant. The grant provides funds for enforcement and education to reduce deaths, injuries and property damage on Nevada roadways.

The grant will assist in funding special enforcement details throughout the year, including seat belt usage, driving under the influence enforcement, pedestrian safety and speeding violations.