Local News - July 2003

Lincoln near top in seatbelt use

Published July23, 2003

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

Lincoln County is No. 2 in the state for seat belt usage, according to figures released by the N.C. Department of Transportation last week.

During the statewide Click It or Ticket campaign that ran from May 16 to June 1, 94 percent of drivers buckled up in Lincoln.

That’s up from 87.4 percent last year.

It’s an increase that officials are proud of. Sheriff’s 1st Sgt. Doug Norwood attributes the increase largely to the new Traffic Enforcement Team and efforts by the N.C. Highway Patrol.

“Our traffic unit has a no-tolerance policy for seat belt and child safety seat violations,” Norwood said. “I believe that the new traffic unit has had a significant impact on seat belt usage in Lincoln County.”

For the third consecutive year, North Carolina’s safety belt use rate for drivers and front seat passengers has increased following the spring Click It or Ticket campaign. The rate increased from 84.1 percent to 86.1 percent, according to a statewide survey conducted after the campaign concluded.

The report also documented a marked increase for just drivers, from 83.6 to 87.3 percent.

“I commend the many state and local law enforcement officers who worked so hard to make this campaign so successful,” said Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett.

“I am proud of their dedicated efforts on behalf of our motoring public — and equally proud that more of our drivers and passengers appreciate the lifesaving benefits of buckling up.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, North Carolina’s increased compliance rate for drivers and front seat passengers could result in 22 fewer crash-related fatalities, 600 fewer serious injuries and a savings of $60 million in medical care, lost productivity and other injury-related costs.

Automobile fatalities on Lincoln’s streets and highways are down 66 percent compared to last year at this time, Norwood said.

“Since we have stepped up traffic enforcement, I honestly believe that we have saved lives,” Norwood said. “I am holding my breath that this trend will continue.”

The news that more people are buckling up in Lincoln coupled with increased enforcement will lead to a “very low fatality year,” Norwood said.

Catawba County rates No. 1 for seat belt use with 96.8 percent of drivers buckling up.

Lincoln replaced Wake County in the No. 2 position. Wake’s use slipped from 91.7 to 89.3 percent, dropping to the No. 6 spot.

North Carolina’s findings are comparable to those nationwide.

Low belt use is most common among males, especially those ages 16 to 24.

Drivers of vans and pick-up trucks reported the lowest belt use.

The next Click It or Ticket campaign will be held Aug. 22 through Sept. 8, said Don Nail, acting director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program.

In order to be safe and avoid traffic tickets, Norwood said there’s only one thing drivers can do.

“No one enjoys being stopped and cited, but sometimes we have to protect people from their own actions,” he said. “I have a simple remedy for those who hate receiving traffic citations — obey the traffic laws.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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