RUTLAND COUNTY—Beginning May 18, 2015, law enforcement officials will be out in force, taking part in the 2015 national Click It or Ticket (CIOT) seat belt enforcement mobilization. “As we kick off the busy summer driving season, it is critical that everyone buckles up every time they go out, day and night—no excuses. Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt, including drivers that have neglected to properly buckle their children,” said Sgt. Allen A. Fortin, Shelburne Police Department (Northern CIOT task force leader).
At 10:30 a.m. on May 18, law enforcement officials will hold a two-state press conference to announce the campaign. The press conference will be held aboard the Charlotte ferry, to emphasize regional law enforcement cooperation in this year’s “Border to Border” campaign.
Available for comment during and after the press conference will be officials of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Governor’s Highway Safety Program Chief Scott Davidson, Vermont and New York State police representatives, municipal police officers, sheriffs from both states, and others.
At 6 p.m. on May 18, Vermont law enforcement will join law enforcement agencies across the Eastern United States in mobilizing the Click It or Ticket (CIOT) “Border to Border” Operation. Law enforcement agencies will join forces to provide increased seat belt enforcement at state borders, sending a zero tolerance message to the public: driving or riding unbuckled will result in a ticket, no matter what state.
According to NHTSA, 9,580 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2013 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. From 2008 to 2012, seat belts saved nearly 63,000 lives nationwide. Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater.
“We want to make this the safest summer possible. Buckling up is not optional; it’s the difference between life and death in a crash. That’s why we’re out here enforcing the law. Click it or Ticket, every time, day or night,” said Davidson.
For more on the national Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit https://www.nhtsa.gov.
Sobriety checkpoints over Memorial Day
During the week starting May 25 the Rutland County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by other local law enforcement agencies, will be conducting sobriety checkpoints within Rutland County. An aggressive effort will be made to identify impaired drivers on our highways. Officers will also be enforcing seatbelt, child restraint and other motor vehicle laws during these checkpoints. All motorists are urged to use a designated driver whenever necessary.
