Seatbelt patrols throughout Marshall County have been stepped up since April 20th, as part of the state’s Rural Demonstration Project. State police officials have announced their participation in the annual effort, which aims to increase seat belt use by motorists in rural counties with the highest percentage of unrestrained fatalities.
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute says 64 percent of the state’s overall traffic fatalities occurred on rural roadways in 2011. In an effort to reduce that number, about 24 law enforcement agencies throughout the state, along with the Indiana State Police, will participate in the project that runs through May 17. Participating agencies will be tasked with looking out for unrestrained motorists in any vehicle, including pickup trucks.
Since 2007, Indiana’s primary seat belt law has required that all passenger motor vehicle occupants, including those in pickup trucks, buckle up regardless of seating position.
During Indiana’s 2011 “Click It or Ticket” mobilization, law enforcement officers cited more than 18,000 motorists for failure to comply with Indiana’s seat belt law.
