Fort Wayne, IN – Beginning April 20th, the Indiana State Police will increase seat belt patrols throughout Noble County as part of the state’s Rural Demonstration Project (RDP).  Agency officials today announced their participation in the annual effort, which aims to increase seat belt use by motorists in rural counties with the highest percentage of unrestrained fatalities.

According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), 64 percent of the state’s total traffic fatalities occurred on rural roadways during 2011.  In an effort to reduce these fatalities, approximately 24 Indiana law enforcement agencies throughout the state, in conjunction with the Indiana State Police, have been selected to take part in this year’s project, which runs through May 17. Participating agencies will be on the lookout for unrestrained motorists in all vehicles, including pickup trucks.  

“The goal of high visibility enforcement efforts such as RDP is to remind all Noble County motorists of the value of seat belt use,” said Lieutenant Tony Casto, Fort Wayne District Commander. “Not only is the use of a seat belt required by Indiana law, its use can increase your chances of survival in the event of a crash by over 50 percent,” Lt. Casto continued. 

Since 2007, Indiana’s primary seat belt law has required that all passenger motor vehicle occupants, including those in pickup trucks, buckle up regardless of seating position.

During Indiana’s 2011 “Click It or Ticket” mobilization, law enforcement officers cited more than 18,000 motorists for failure to comply with Indiana’s seat belt law.

The Rural Demonstration Project (RDP) is an annual traffic safety effort made possible through Federal Highway Safety grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).