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SHERIFF'S OFFICE LOOKS FORWARD TO DUAL ENFORCEMENT OPPORTUNITY THIS MEMORIAL DAY

05/23/2015

Memorial Day.jpg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Major Lafayette Woods, Jr.

Operation Commander/Public Information Officer

870.541.5351-OFFICE/870.329.5652-CELL

Email: lafayette.woods@jeffcoso.org

SHERIFF'S OFFICE LOOKS FORWARD TO DUAL ENFORCEMENT OPPORTUNITY THIS MEMORIAL DAY: Jefferson County, Arkansas – May 23, 2015 – This upcoming Memorial Day presents dual enforcement opportunities for our agency along with other law enforcement agencies across the state.  With the recent kickoff of the Nations “Click It or Ticket” seatbelt enforcement campaign coupled with the expected increase in travel of motorists along our roadways for Memorial Day, we have an opportunity for a concentrated enforcement effort of motorist not buckled up as well as those who make the dreadful choice of driving impaired.        

Our deputies along with officers from other state and local law enforcement agencies will be out in force as we look for impaired drivers and violators of the State of Arkansas’ mandatory seatbelt wear law.     

In past years, we have ordered the deployment of our Marine Patrol, who during holidays such as Memorial Day have patrolled our waterways.  Although recent flood patterns and an increase in water pouring into various bodies of water in Jefferson County, AR has seemingly limited potential boaters, we still plan to deploy our Marine Patrol in order to ensure the safety of boaters.    

Although the “Click It or Ticket” campaign is limited in respect to enforcement thereof, deputies remain ever so vigilant of the campaigns main goal of raising public awareness about seat belt laws in an effort to reduce traffic injuries and death. 

Preliminary statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrative revealed that there were 466 traffic fatalities in Arkansas of which 333 were motor vehicle occupant fatalities.  Over half were not using seat belts.  “The alarming numbers for motor vehicle fatalities on state roads in past years involving unbelted victims along with the increase in arrests for DWI and other traffic infractions indicate the need for campaigns such as “Click It or Ticket”.  Through this national joint enforcement effort, our agency will focus in particular on educating travelers.  Motorists who don’t use restraints are at greatest risk of injury or death.