The Chadron Police Department issued 10 citations during the latest Click It or Tickets high-visibility seat belt awareness campaign, which ran over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
A grant from the Nebraska Dept of Transportation – Office of Highway Safety helped cover the overtime costs of putting additional officers on the road for the Buckle Up, Every Trip, Every Time campaign to increase awareness of seat belt laws with a zero-tolerance policy on violations.
Sgt Chelsey Stolley says officers conducted 46 traffic stops resulting in 2 citations for seat belt violations and 8 for other violations. There were also 6 arrests including 3 for driving with a revoked license and one for driving under the influence of drugs.
Sgt Stolley says the campaign was successful despite the relatively small number of citations because the goal was a safe community with safe drivers and the holiday weekend saw no deaths or injury accidents in Chadron. .
Stolley says simply seeing more officers on the street tends to make drivers pay more attention and drive more safely while the zero-tolerance policy on seat belt usage underscores the fact that “:seat belt use isn’t a suggestion, it’s the law.”
Statewide, 40 local law enforcement agencies and the Nebraska State Patrol received grants with State Troopers removing 27 impaired drivers from Nebraska roads during the busy Thanksgiving travel weekend.
In addition to the 27 arrests for driving under the influence, troopers issued 407 citations for speeding including 93 for speeds in excess of 90 mph.
There were also 33 for driving under suspension, 12 for no seat belt, 11 for open alcohol container, 8 for minor in possession of alcohol, and 5 for improper child restraint.
State Patrol Supt Colonel John Bolduc says “with a blast of winter weather mixed in the middle, troopers were busy throughout the state” as they responded to 95 crashes and performed 191 motorist assists between Wednesday and Sunday.
Colonel Bolduc says the Patrol urges all motorists to be prepared for adverse driving conditions during the winter, including always checking road conditions by visiting 511.Nebraska.gov or downloading the Nebraska 511 app before leaving.
Bolduc also recommends having a passenger periodically check 511 for any updates that may be issued due to road closures or crash responses. If you do become stranded, call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55 or 800-525-5555.