More than seat belt violators stopped during sweep

MOSES LAKE – Extra law enforcement patrolled Grant and Adams County roads at night looking for unbuckled drivers between May 21-June 3..

During the patrols, 88 seatbelt tickets were written, in addition to one DUI, 34 speeding infractions, 27 cell phone and texting tickets and 23 child passenger safety infractions.

One misdemeanor drug arrest was made, and 23 uninsured motorists and 12 suspended/revoked license violations were written

The Central Basin Traffic Safety Task Force and law enforcement in Grant and Adams Counties worked the extra patrols. Statewide, 124 police and sheriff agencies and the Washington State Patrol contributed to this national effort to save lives.

Ten years ago, during June 2002, the seat belt law changed from a secondary to a primary law, according to a CBTSTF spokesman. That meant that law enforcement officers could issue a seat belt ticket when there was no other citable traffic infraction.

That was also the first year the Click-it or Ticket patrols were conducted. That year, the seat belt use rate in Washington jumped 10 points from 82.6 to 92.6 percent.

During the past ten years, traffic deaths on Washington roadways are down 29 percent and serious injuries are down 28 percent, while vehicle miles traveled increased 6.6 percent over this same period, the CBTSTF said.

Studies show seat belt use decreases the chance of dying in a crash by 60 percent and reduces the risk of head injury by 80 percent.

For additional information about the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, visit www.wtsc.wa.gov