Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 9 Commander, Lieutenant Bruce Waggoner, has announced that ISP will conduct Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) in Clay and Wayne counties during April. These patrols will focus on enforcing safety belt and child safety seat laws.
Illinois law requires that all vehicle passengers, both in the front and back seats, wear seat belts. According to the ISP, safety belts remain one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles, estimated to save over 14,000 lives each year. Despite this, nearly 50% of vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes were not buckled up.
The primary goal of the OREP initiative is to increase compliance with occupant restraint laws through a combination of education, child safety seat inspections, and enforcement. Authorities urge all motorists and passengers to buckle up and ensure children are properly secured in the appropriate safety seats.