RTSSC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	West Fargo Seat Belt Use
Publication Date:	Oct 2009
Type:	Issue Brief

Abstract

Seat belt use continues to be vitally important as a low-cost measure for saving lives and reducing the severity of vehicle crashes. Communities throughout North Dakota participate in Click It or Ticket campaigns and high school challenges to bolster the use of seat belts. West Fargo is taking efforts one step further. On March 1st, 2009, The West Fargo Police Department instituted a new Seat Belt Enforcement Unit to encourage an increase in the proper use of vehicle safety restraints. The emphasis of the program was to influence public perception and officer philosophy with an emphasis on enforcement. Through the use of print and video media, the public was informed of the new unit. Three patrol vehicles were also marked with seat belt enforcement team identification. Additional officers were assigned to construction and school zones to watch for restraint violations.