On Tuesday, May 9, 2006, officers of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police * Leonardtown and La Plata Barracks, and the Charles County Sheriff's Office initiated a seat belt enforcement zone on Route 6 at the county line. A total of 241 vehicles were checked. During the check, St. Mary's County law enforcement officers issued 5 seat belt citations, 1 driving while suspended citation, 1 other traffic citation, and made one arrest on a warrant. The seat belt use rate measured 98%.
This is just one of many seat belt enforcement zones scheduled in the county. Next, officers will be working with the Calvert County law enforcement agencies near the Thomas Johnson Bridge. Each of the surrounding counties, as well as most of the state, will be conducting seat belt enforcement zones throughout the summer. Anyone not wearing a seat belt will be ticketed.
Maryland has a primary seat belt law, meaning anyone not wearing a seat belt can be pulled over and cited without any other violations occurring. Convincing non-users and part-time seat belt users to become full-time seat belt users is vital to the effort of saving lives. Statistics show that nearly 50% of those who are killed in motor vehicle crashes are unrestrained.
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police-Leonardtown Barrack, Department of Natural Resources Police and Department of Defense Police-NDW, along with law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Maryland, will continue their efforts to get everyone to buckle up.
For more information on the St. Mary's County Highway Safety Program contact the Community Traffic Safety Program Coordinator, Jacqualine M. Beckman, at 301-475-4200 ext. 1850.
Remember, it's Click It or Ticket. No excuses, no exceptions.