July 30, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

RE:  Seat belt mobilization

     The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office has joined with other Law Enforcement Agencies from all over Idaho in a partnership with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Office of Highway Safety mobilizing extra Deputies to enforce seat belt violations.  The mobilization efforts started last week and continue into next with extra Deputies on patrol in busy areas looking for traffic and seat belt violations. 

     Law Enforcement in Eastern Idaho have investigated multiple fatalities and serious injury crashes in the past 3 months, and this time of year during the 100 deadly days of summer our Deputies continue to see heavy traffic and travel through our area.  When more motorists are using the road for vacation, work, and recreation the chances of an incident greatly increase. 

     Over half of Idaho’s fatal crashes between 2015 and 2019 involved unrestrained occupants and over 1200 critical injuries from crashes were the result of unrestrained occupants of vehicles.  The safety systems and technology in today’s vehicles are built for optimum occupant safety and significantly reduce the chances of serious injury or death, but only if people wear their seat belts and take full advantage of it. 

     Teach you kids and family members now to develop good habits when riding in a vehicle by setting the example of seat belt use.  Always make paying attention to your driving a priority and obey the traffic laws.  The more you can do to plan for safety, the less risk you have of serious injuries or death to you, the loved ones who travel with you, and others sharing the road. 

     Do the right thing, buckle up.