The most recent survey conducted by the Dalton Police Department’s Traffic Unit shows that there has been a decrease in the percentage of motorists buckling up. Surveys conducted in various locations throughout the city in preparation for the upcoming “Click it or Ticket” campaign showed that the usage rate in Dalton has fallen from 88 percent in November of 2008 to 86 percent. For the state of Georgia, the usage rate is about 90 percent.
According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 55% of all occupants killed in car crashes were not wearing a safety belt. Statistics also show that inappropriately restrained children are nearly three and half times more likely to be injured then children properly restrained in car crashes.
Georgia State law requires that any occupant of the front seat of a passenger vehicle that is being operated on any public road, street, or highway of this state shall be restrained by a safety belt. The law further requires that any passengers between the ages of 6 and 17 shall be restrained by a safety belt in any vehicle being operated on any public road, street or highway of this state no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. In Georgia, passengers under the age of 6 must be restrained by an approved Child Safety Restraint System (car seat).
The department would like to remind all motorists to Buckle Up and obey all posted speed limits to prevent serious injury accidents. The Traffic Enforcement Unit is also available at (706) 278-9085, Ext. 124 if anyone has any questions in reference to Safety Belt Laws or Child Car Safety Seats. The department also has Child Car Safety Seat Technicians to help with the proper installation of Child Car Safety Seats.
Comments