229-333-5800 February 9, 2001
01-115
VSU to enforce safety belt use
Valdosta State University's Public Safety will begin increased
safety belt enforcement during National Child Passenger Safety
Awareness Week, Feb. 11?17.
Public Safety officers will conduct occupant safety checkpoints,
with the Valdosta Police Department, to focus on drivers who are
not wearing their safety belts and who are not buckling up children
passengers.
According to Major Ann Farmer, assistant director of Public Safety,
VSU has a zero tolerance policy for safety belt violators.
?The increased safety belt enforcement is aimed at reducing the
number of violators within VSU 's jurisdiction, especially those
transporting children,? Farmer said.
Recent statewide statistics indicate that the current child safety
belt rate is 74 percent. In Georgia, studies reveal that when a
driver is buckled, 85 percent of children are buckled and when a
driver is unbuckled, restraint use for children drops to 15
percent.
VSU's participation in the safety belt enforcement is part of a
one-year $10,000 grant, from the Governor's Office of High Safety,
aimed at increasing safety belt use at VSU.
For more information, contact Public Safety at 229?333?7816.
