The Arkansas State Police will work alongside law enforcement agencies across the state during the Thanksgiving holiday period (Nov. 19–25) looking for motorists who aren’t using their vehicle safety belts.
Law enforcement officers are reminding all motorists to “Click It” or risk getting a ticket.
“The Thanksgiving holiday is typically one of the more dangerous and deadliest times for highway or local street travel,” according to a news release. “Whether the trip is across town or across the county, distance makes no difference, safety belts and child restraints save lives.”
During the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday period (Nov. 23–28), nationwide 341 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Nearly 50 percent of those were not buckled-up.
“Unfortunately too many people need a reminder and that’s why city, county and state law enforcement officers will be working overtime this Thanksgiving with a strong Click It or Ticket mobilization effort,” said Col. Bill Bryant, director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “Our state troopers will be out in full force to ensure drivers and passengers alike are buckled up as they travel to their destinations.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Emphasis will be noticed along Interstate 40 during the most heavily traveled hours of the Thanksgiving holiday and violators will be ticketed.
“The Arkansas State Police will partner with several other states including Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas in an additional enforcement effort designed to protect motorists along the I-40 corridor,” Colonel Bryant stated. “Each state plans to assign a trooper to every 20 mile segment of Interstate 40 during peak traffic hours.”
Arkansas state law requires that all front seat passengers, not just drivers, be buckled up. It requires all children under 15 years of age to be properly secured in the vehicle. A child who is less than six years old and weighs less than 60 pounds must be restrained in a child passenger safety seat. If the driver has a restricted license, all passengers must be properly buckled up, according to the release.
“Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Research has shown that when lap and shoulder belts are used properly, 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,” according to the release.
Details: visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov, the Arkansas Highway Safety Office, 501-618-8136, or for details on Arkansas’ ongoing Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, visit www.TZDArkansas.org.