2,116 Rural Colorado Drivers Get a Costly Reminder to Buckle Up

DENVER – Colorado’s rural Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign resulted in 2,116 seat belt citations, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The increased seat belt enforcement took place April 1-8th in 49 counties and involved 29 law enforcement agencies and the Colorado State Patrol. CDOT provided federal grants to agencies to participate in the campaign.

The 2,116 citations also included 98 violations for drivers with unrestrained children under age 16. The special Click It or Ticket enforcement also resulted in the additional benefit of 33 drug arrests, 18 DUIs, 19 fugitive arrests, 165 suspended licenses, and the recovery of one stolen vehicle.

Based on observational surveys conducted by law enforcement agencies before and after the rural Click It or Ticket enforcement period, seat belt use rose from 75% to 81%.

“Getting everyone to buckle up is what this campaign is all about. Our goal is saving lives, not writing tickets,” said Colonel James Wolfinbarger, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “In 2011, 187 people were killed in crashes on rural roadways, representing 60% of the state’s total fatalities. And more than half (58%) of those killed in rural areas were not wearing a seat belt, compared to 34% in urban areas.

“Sometimes there’s a false sense of security for people when driving in less congested, rural areas of our state,” Colonel Wolfinbarger pointed out. “However crashes can occur anywhere, anytime — it’s important to make smart choices by developing the habit of buckling up every time no matter where you are or how far you’re driving. And, make sure all of your passengers are wearing seat belts and all children are buckled up in the appropriate child safety seat.”

The cost of a seat belt ticket is a minimum of $65 per violation and $85 for violations involving unrestrained children. The public can find information about the law and enforcement at www.seatbeltscolorado.com. Child passenger safety information is available at www.carseatscolorado.com.

The following partial list shows the number of seat belt violations issued by agency or CSP troop:

Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office 36

Avon Police Department 110

Breckenridge Police Department 6

Cortez Police Department 5

Craig Police Department 28

CSP Troop 1A Limon 67

CSP Troop 2A Canon City 67

CSP Troop 2C Lamar 190

CSP Troop 2D Pueblo 28

CSP Troop 3A Greeley 73

CSP Troop 5B Alamosa 104

Durango Police Department 51

Fort Morgan Police Department 25

Lamar Police Department 5

Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office 22

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