AMARILLO, TEXAS -- State troopers, police officers and sheriffs' deputies across the state enforced the Click it or Ticket campaign for the state's safety belt laws.
Amarillo Police issued 315 seat belt citations, 31 child restraint citations, and 261 citations for "other violations" along with arrests and warrants served by officers working the assignment.
Surveys taken within the city prior to the beginning of the campaign which revealed that seat belt usage was at 82.7 percent The same survey after the campaign ended revealed that seat belt usage rate increased to 91.6 percent.
The campaign was funded by a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to pay for extra officers to enforce the restraint laws. Amarillo police will still continue to be strict on enforcing campaign. APD currently has a comprehensive traffic grant from TDT that funds extra officers to concentrate on DWI, speeding, seat belt, and other restraint laws throughout the year.
Authorities said that the increase can go far in reducing deaths and injuries from traffic collisions within the city. They also say that the risk of fatal injury in a crash is reduced by 45 percent for cars occupants and 60 percent for light truck occupants.
The crackdown campaign from May 21 through June 3.
