Local News - June 2003

167 cited for seatbelt violations

Published June 11, 2003

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

Thousands of drivers and passengers were cited for offenses ranging from safety belt violations to drug charges during the state’s spring Click It or Ticket campaign.

More than 16,000 motorists across the state failed to buckle up or properly restrain children  during the 2-week campaign, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

In Lincoln County, 167 people were given citations for not wearing their seat belts, and 13 were cited for child passenger safety violations between May 19 and June 1.

“It’s disturbing to see that so many motorists still don’t get the message,” said Don Nail, acting director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “Drivers and passengers need to know that law enforcement takes this issue very seriously.”

It’s an issue that Lincoln County authorities take seriously, too.

“Lincoln County law enforcement has been dedicated to saving lives by enforcing the seat belt laws for years and always gives a maximum effort during this period,” said sheriff’s 1st Sgt. Doug Norwood.

Statewide, North Carolina’s buckle-up rate for drivers and passengers is 84.1 percent, which is higher than the nation’s 75 percent rate.

During Week 1, 6,155 motorists were caught without their seat belts during a total 1,900 checkpoints and stepped-up patrols. Week 2 resulted in 8,217 citations during 2,600 checkpoints and patrols.

Lincoln authorities held 35 checkpoints and 14 saturation patrols during Week 1 and 26 checkpoints and 24 saturation patrols during Week 2.

Besides cracking down on unrestrained drivers and passengers, officers throughout North Carolina charged 2013 motorists with driving while impaired.

In Lincoln, law enforcement officers arrested 23 people for DWI.

Wake County recorded the highest number of DWI charges both weeks. A total 160 drivers were charged.

During Week 1, Cabarrus County reported 68 DWI arrests. Mecklenburg County authorities charged 52 people with DWI during Week 2.

The 2-week campaign brought a total 63,511 violations, including 964 drug charges, 51 stolen vehicles and 39 fugitives from justice in North Carolina.

Forty-four people were charged with misdemeanor drug violations, one person was charged with a firearm violation and 25 other criminal charges were filed in Lincoln County.

The most alarming statistics are the ones dealing with children, Norwood said.

“The scariest and saddest part of this report is the increased numbers of child safety system violations,” Norwood said. “The most vulnerable lives in our society are not being properly secured.

“I urge everyone to please properly secure their children. If you choose not to secure your children, look for a blue light in your rearview mirror.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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