On Tuesday July 1, 2003, the State Highway Patrol in Guilford County is kicking off a summertime seatbelt and child restraints saturation enforcement campaign. Troopers and Motor Carrier Enforcement officers will focus on collision prone highways.

This will be a one-day joint effort with the Greensboro Police Department, the High Point Police Department.

The purpose of this campaign is to increase seat belt use in Guilford County. According to the Governor’s Highway Safety, Guilford County is only at 80.2% compliance rate. Last year’s stats showed an increase in seat belt compliance with a 1.4 percent increase in the statewide survey. The statewide rate increased from 82.7 to 84.1 percent.

The High Point United Way and the Safe Guilford Coalition will make available booster seats and child safety seats for anyone who is not complying with the child restraint laws.

Based on Fatal Analysis Reporting System data from 2000, the most recent year for which national data is available, North Carolina’s increased compliance rate for drivers and front seat passengers could result in 16 fewer crash-related fatalities, 400 fewer serious injuries, and a savings of $41.4 million in medical care, lost productivity and other injury-related costs.

North Carolina findings are comparable to those nationwide, in that low belt use is most common among males, especially those ages 16-24. North Carolina’s female drivers use seat belts more often then their male counterparts (91.9 to 89.9 percent). Drivers of vans and pickup trucks reported the lowest belt use, with just 73.3 and 74.7 percent, respectively.

A briefing will be held at Troop D Headquarters, 2527 Market Street, Greensboro, at 7:15 AM. Members of the press are invited to attend.

If any questions, call Sgt. Phil Wadsworth or Sgt. Pete Waddell at 336-334-5621

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