Seatbelt Enforcement Stepping Up for Memorial Day Weekend

The Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) is reminding drivers that wearing your seat belt is the best defense in a crash or against drunk driving. They began a high visibility campaign Monday with the Wyoming Seat Belt Coalition for the Memorial Day holiday and are taking a 'Zero Tolerance" stance towards drivers and passengers who fail to buckle while operating or riding in a vehicle.

A release from the WHP says Wyoming's goal is to increase the 2010 observed statewide safety belt use rate of 78.9 percent and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in Wyoming traffic crashes. Nationally, in 2010, safety belt usage was 85 percent.

Authorities say Law Enforcement officers across the State of Wyoming will unite their efforts in an attempt to reduce the number of unrestrained fatalities and injuries associated with vehicle crashes. They are embracing a "Zero Tolerance" stance as the best way to accomplish that task.

Wyoming law states that drivers who are not buckled up during a traffic stop are subject to a fine of $25. Unrestrained passengers are subject to a $10 fine. A driver who has an unbuckled child is subject to a $50 fine on the first offense and a $100 fine on a second violation of the same offense.

The Wyoming Seat Belt Coalition is comprised of safety advocates and professionals knowledgeable about seatbelts, child safety seats and the benefits of those safety devices to the public.