Crime & Safety

Over 1,500 Seat Belt Citations Given in 2011

The Santa Cruz County CHP is continuing to enforce seat belt laws all over the county.

Although CHP Commissioner Joseph Farrow reports that seat belt usage in California is at an all-time high, over four seat belt tickets were given out per day in 2011 in Santa Cruz County.

According to Santa Cruz CHP Officer Sarah Jackson, the agency doled out 1,501 seatbelt citations last year as well as 87 child safety seat citations. 

To help continue enforcement and education of seat belt laws, the CHP has obtained a Vehicle Occupant Restraint Education and Instruction (VOREI) grant, which according to the CHP, "will be used to support statewide community outreach and enforcement efforts by CHP officers who will encourage Californians to not only buckle up themselves, but to ensure their passengers are properly secured as well."

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The Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System has found that an average of five people died in cars in 2009, with at least one disregarding seat belt laws.

Do you always buckle up? Vote in the anonymous poll below and tell us what you think about seat belt laws in the comments.

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