The Ellis County Press: Hutchins backs seatbelt safety

Hutchins backs seatbelt safety
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Editor on 11/09/2000 00:00:00


DIANA BUCKLEY
Ellis County Press
HUTCHINS — The Hutchins Police Department will be one of many local law
enforcement agencies participating in Operation ABC Mobilization: America
Buckles Up Children this month.
Last May, more than 520 agencies in Texas participated in the program, and the
results are impressive. 
According to a letter from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
which sponsors the program, child fatalities have dropped by 15 percent in the
two years since the program was launched. Additionally, restraint use for
children ages 0-15 has climbed from 65 to 75 percent, restraint use among
toddlers ages 1-4 has jumped from 60 to 91 percent, and adult seat belt use rose
from 62 percent to 71 percent.
Nevertheless, last year in Texas alone, 136 unrestrained children were killed in
automobile accidents.
Officer Landers of the Hutchins Police Department says officers will be cracking
down on violations during the month of November by looking for drivers with
unbuckled children. Education will play a part in the effort as well, and
Landers said he has requested a packet of information from the campaign, which
is expected to include flyers, stickers, and banners.
For more information on the campaign or about child restraint requirements, call
Officer Landers at 972-225-2225.