Idaho’s secondary safety belt law imposes only a five dollar fine. Despite this drawback, the Twin Falls Police Department (TFPD) continues to find creative ways to enforce the state’s safety belt law and keep the focus on traffic safety. In Twin Falls and the surrounding area, incidents of aggressive driving and lack of safety belt use were public safety problems.

Twin Falls has an agriculture-based economy. It is also the retail hub for south-central Idaho and its 170,000 residents. Because of the number of residents and regular visitors to Twin Falls, the Idaho Office of Highway Safety (IOHS) gave funds to the TFPD to coordinate traffic enforcement activities among multiple police jurisdictions. The focus was primarily on safety belts with aggressive driving violations used as the primary citation, which allowed the safety belt violation to be written.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In support of its goals to reduce motor vehicle-related fatalities and serious injuries, the TFPD coordinated multi-jurisdictional enforcement efforts to:

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The TFPD was instrumental in bringing safety belt enforcement to the forefront for officers of neighboring law enforcement agencies. TFPD utilized a memorandum of understanding to fund overtime for officers from outside agencies using Section 402 grant funds. Officers from several jurisdictions in and around Twin Falls received training on the state’s safety belt laws during roll call meetings. In addition, they were trained on the procedures for effectively making safety belt traffic stops. Data was provided to supervisors and shared with officers on a monthly basis about local and statewide safety belt statistical information and issues dealing with general vehicle safety. Safety belt saturation patrols were organized, and officers came from several jurisdictions to Twin Falls. In their respective department vehicles, officers issued citations for safety belt violations. The officers obtained training that they could use to benefit their local communities.

While patrolling, officers focused on the key areas of aggressive driving and safety belt violations. During a traffic stop, officers educated motorists about the safety belt law regardless of the reason for the stop. If a violation of the safety belt law occurred, a “no warning” stance was taken and the citation for safety belts was issued. Because of the secondary seatbelt law, if no other violation occurred a citation could not be issued. However, officers educated motorists about the state occupant protections laws and the potential for citation.

During the same period, the media featured stories on the benefits of safety belts, warnings about citations, statistics of unbelted motorists, and ongoing police-department activities.

A Citizens Traffic Advisory Committee was formed to enhance aggressive driving and injury prevention efforts. Business leaders from within the community met monthly to discuss community-related traffic safety issues. The committee decided to install rumble strips, lower the speed limit in school zones, and add “Click It” signs in parking lots.

RESULTS

Monthly surveys show incremental increases in the use of safety restraints. By the end of the grant period, the usage rate was 69 percent. This is a significant increase compared to a 1998 usage rate of 40 percent in Twin Falls County. In addition, a record number of safety belt citations were issued. Keeping the officers motivated was challenging, but the outcome was successful.