INDIANAPOLIS -- A heads up to all drivers and passengers. Indiana State Police troopers will conduct a week-long seat belt enforcement blitz statewide for commercial vehicles starting Sunday, Sept. 24
ISP has a goal to reduce the number of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles, with the hope of preventing injuries and deaths related to not wearing seat belts.
They believe education is a key component of this effort as troopers will continue to emphasize to commercial vehicle companies and their drivers the importance of complying with seat belt laws as well as traffic laws.
Part of the reason why they are focusing this blitz on commercial vehicles is because they are finding that more and more of these drivers who travels long distances for long periods of time are getting uncomfortable and not wearing their seat belts properly.
“Unfortunately, we are finding – more often than not – that many CMV drivers are using a device on the shoulder strap portion of the safety belt that is designed to reduce tension on the shoulder,” said Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division Commander Major Jon Smithers. “The loosening of the shoulder strap can compromise the effectiveness of the safety belt and is also in violation of the Indiana seatbelt law and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.”
ISP believes this seat belt crackdown can save lives in the Hoosier state. Especially because many semi-tractors do not have any type of air bag safety system in their vehicles within the cab - making unsecured drivers and passengers more at risk of being thrown from the vehicles during a crash or secondary crash.
Using a seat belt the proper way is an easy method to protect yourself :
Safety belts are proven to help drivers maintain control of the vehicle when involved in a crash, thus minimizing the chance of injury or death to you, your passengers, and other motorists
Safety belts can prevent you from being knocked unconscious in a crash, improving your chances of escape from a burning or submerged vehicle.
You are four times more likely to be fatally injured when thrown from your vehicle the result of a crash. Your safety belt can keep you from being ejected.
Driver error, severe weather, mechanical failure, and tire blowouts can all cause crashes. Safety belts prevent injuries by protecting your head and spinal cord.
Safety belts are necessary even at low speeds. In a frontal collision at 30 mph, an unbelted commercial vehicle driver hits the windshield at that speed.
Seat, lap, and shoulder belts can be easily adjusted to fit comfortably and correctly.
Buckling up takes only about three seconds and can make a difference for a lifetime.
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