Traffic Safety Digest - Summer '96

The Best Of Operation Buckle Down	ILLINOIS

PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS		PROGRAM AREA(S)
	Innovative Approach Uses Successful Programs Shares Proven Method		Occupant Protection Police Traffic Services

TYPE OF JURISDICTION
	State

TARGETED POPULATION(S)		JURISDICTION SIZE
	Police Departments		Approximately 12,000,000

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Although several Operation Buckle Down programs in Illinois had very good results from their public information and education and enforcement efforts, other police agency programs were rated poor to mediocre. Operation Buckle Down Coordinators in Illinois convened a meeting of the top Buckle Down police agencies to discuss strategies for improving the poorer programs. The group decided that the best departments should provide a seminar to highlight how they had succeeded and ways other departments could best increase occupant protection usage rates.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goals of the Best of Operation Buckle Down seminar were to:

Improve the public information and education programs of all police agencies attending the seminar
Improve the ability of attendees to obtain the support of the news media to spread necessary traffic safety messages and stories successfully
Teach attendees how to instruct parents in the proper installation of child safety seats.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

Illinois' 17 Mobile Training Units sponsored the seminars, supplying classrooms and advertising, and recruiting students. Seminars were interactive, with break-out groups to discuss specific themes. Subjects covered include:

The Best Of Operation Buckle Down (cont'd)

Child safety seat loaner programs and the proper installation of the seats
Successful interactions with the news media
Creative ways of expanding public information and education programs.

RESULTS

Five Best of Operation Buckle Down seminars have been held to date with 123 officers representing 80 departments attending the training. Additionally, one county coroner was trained and this resulted in participation from the Illinois Coroners' Association at press conferences across the State. Several child safety seat loaner programs were established. The Chicago Police Department conducted its own seminar for the 24 Districts comprising the Department, resulting in more activities directed toward safety belt and child safety seat enforcement and use. The program continues to receive anecdotal reports about increased public efforts within participating departments.