Governor Rendell Reminds Motorists to Buckle Up During Upcoming Holidaytitle
State and Local Police Team Up to Keep Motorists Safe Over Thanksgiving
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today
said the Pennsylvania State Police will team up with local police next week to
closely monitor speed and seatbelt usage during the Thanksgiving holiday with
roving patrols and safety checkpoints.
"Our goal is to make sure our highways are safe as motorists travel to be
with family and friends this Thanksgiving," Governor Rendell said. "People
need to drive safely and remember to wear their seatbelts every time."
The Governor said more than 300 police departments will actively
participate in the holiday watch.
State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller said he has directed troopers
to adopt a "zero-tolerance policy" toward violations of the states seatbelt
and child passenger restraint laws.
"If a driver is stopped for a traffic violation and anyone in the vehicle
is not properly restrained, the driver will get two citations instead of one,"
Miller said. "We want to send a strong message that seatbelts and child
safety seats save lives."
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler,
P.E., thanked local police and the Buckle Up Pennsylvania coalition for their
enforcement work.
"Our success depends on our local partners and we are counting on their
aggressive participation," Secretary Biehler said.
While the number of motorists wearing seatbelts has increased during the
last five years to an all-time high, nearly one-in-five motorists still do not
regularly use their seatbelts. Fewer people buckle up at night. According to
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic fatalities
increase dramatically at night and research shows that seatbelt use drops by
nearly half after the sun goes down.
At least half of the enforcement efforts Nov. 21-27 will happen at night
to curtail this trend.
The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
more about Governor Rendells initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us.
CONTACT: Kate Philips
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
717-783-1116
Rich Kirkpatrick, (PennDOT)
717-783-8800
