With Memorial Day approaching, the unofficial start to summer is almost here. The warmer weather brings vacation season and more cars and trucks traveling Hoosier roadways. The Franklin/Ripley County Traffic Safety Partnership is reminding drivers and passengers to buckle up every time they get into a vehicle.
“Starting last Friday, our officers began working overtime to see that motorists and passengers are properly restrained,” said Lt. Doug Wolfer from the Batesville Police. “We have zero tolerance for not wearing a seat belt. Drivers and passengers who are not buckled up will receive a ticket.”
The Franklin/Ripley County TSP is one of Indiana’s 248 local and state agencies participating in the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign. Officers will be working overtime until June 1 enforcing Indiana’s seat belt law.
State law requires all passenger vehicle occupants 16 and older to ride properly restrained in a vehicle. It applies to all seating positions in all vehicles, including pick-up trucks and SUVs. Children 15 years and younger must be properly restrained in a child restraint device or seat belt in all seating positions in all vehicles. More information about safety seats for children is available at childseat.in.gov.
Indiana’s is one of the leading states in seat belt use – with a rate topping 93 percent in 2012.
“We want to ensure that everyone arrives alive,” Lt. Wolfer said. “Wearing a seat belt can save your life.”
