October 1990 POLICE PRACTICES: SEAT BELT AWARENESS PROGRAM The use of seat belts is probably the best available protection for automobile drivers and passengers from serious injury or death due to accidents. State administrators consider the use of seat belts so vital to the well-being of citizens that most States have mandated the use of these safety devices for all front-seat occupants. Yet, voluntary compliance with seat belt laws is waning. In fact, during spot checks, police officers in South Windsor, Connecticut, observed that only 1 person out of every 15 wore a seat belt. The question then raised is, ``What can law enforcement do to make the general public aware of the seat belt law and then get citizens to comply with it?'' To address the problem, the South Windsor Police Department implemented a Seat Belt Awareness Program. This is an educational/enforcement program designed to encourage residents to use seat belts. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT The first hurdle, funding the project, was cleared when the Connecticut Safety Belt Coalition granted the necessary monies to cover the cost of the program. This non-profit safety group that encourages safety belt use also gave the department educational information that stressed voluntary compliance with State law. In addition, a local business joined in this community program. It provided the department with free merchandise give-aways to encourage seat belt use. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION The Seat Belt Awareness Program ran during the month of August 1989. During the first 2 weeks, the department issued press releases informing residents of the program, why it was being implemented, how the program would be conducted, and where officers would be stationed. Starting with the third week, officers conducted informational stops. Occupants of vehicles stopped during this period, who were not wearing seat belts, were given a verbal warning and an information packet. The packet contained printed materials that explained how seat belts prevent injury and death and how many deaths would be prevented if occupants used seat belts. Those found wearing their seat belts received merchandise give-aways or coupons for ice cream, which had been provided by the safety belt coalition or local businesses. The final week of the program was enforcement week. During this week, officers issued 215 tickets charging drivers with failure to wear seat belts, an infraction of Connecticut General Statutes 14-100ac. Drivers were fined if they were not wearing seat belts; they received another fine if a front-seat passenger was not wearing one. If seat belts were worn improperly, only a verbal warning was given, and officers advised the occupant on how to wear seat belts correctly. Officers conducted both their informational and enforcement stops at the same time and same locations each week. Surprisingly, few complained about being issued a ticket, and many thanked the officers for reminding them to buckle up. PROGRAM SUCCESS The program succeeded in getting the residents of South Windsor to wear their seat belts. Officers observed that the ratio of persons wearing seat belts after the Safety Belt Awareness Program was 14 out of 15. By combining informational stops with enforcement, the police department in South Windsor brought about ``voluntary compliance'' to the Connecticut Seat Belt Law. More important, the police department demonstrated concern for the safety of South Windsor residents by encouraging them, their family members, and friends to buckle up and prevent tragedy. _______________ Information for this column was submitted by Sgt. Thomas C. Hart of the South Windsor, Connecticut, Police Department.