Seat belt blitz racks up 176 citations

The Southeast Region of the North Dakota Highway Patrol conducted a nine-day high-emphasis seat belt enforcement blitz Jan. 13-21. Troopers worked extended or extra shifts to positively affect seat belt usage in the region.

The Southeast Region is comprised of the following 15 counties: Eddy, Foster, Stutsman, Logan, McIntosh, Dickey, Lamoure, Barnes, Griggs, Steele, Traill, Cass, Ransom, Sergeant and Richland.

In 2011, the state of North Dakota recorded 148 fatalities; of those, 82 were not wearing their safety belts. In an effort to draw awareness to this issue, Southeast Region troopers were out on patrol placing an increased emphasis on seat belt enforcement.

During this event Southeast Region troopers issued 176 citations and 108 warnings with 64 citations specifically for safety belt violations as well as the hundreds of citations and warnings issued during regular patrol hours.

Tags: law enforcement, seat belts, news