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Small Town Promotes Seat Belt Use

NCJ Number
140696
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 40 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1992) Pages: 35-37
Author(s)
J C Rychlak Jr
Date Published
1992
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Malvern Borough, Pennsylvania initiated its "Buckle Up" program on Labor Day weekend in 1991 with the goal of realizing a 70-percent or better safety belt usage rate by the end of 1992.
Abstract
Two components were identified as essential to the seat belt campaign: to establish a written police department policy requiring officers to use seat belts and to conduct baseline usage surveys. The campaign included written warnings and "educational blitzes." These blitzes were conducted at each of the four locations selected for the baseline surveys. Each blitz, which lasted one hour during the morning rush, was conducted by uniformed officers. Motorists were advised of the law and an increase in enforcement. Surveys at two heavily traveled locations revealed an increase in seat belt usage rates from 57 percent to 74 percent and from 61 percent to 79 percent. The results of the campaign qualified Malvern Borough for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 70 percent Honor Role, and the campaign has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as a model program.