Hastings Police Department, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
HASTINGS — The Hastings Police Department participated in the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s statewide “Make it Click” mobilization May 12 thru June 1.
The Department was awarded grant money for Officers to work overtime hours conducting traffic violation enforcement and subsequent seatbelt and child restraint violation enforcement.
A pre-event survey indicated 72% of drivers in Hastings were using their seatbelts. The post-event survey, conducted in the same location and at the same time of day, indicated an increase to 80% usage. During the event, 165 hours of overtime were worked which resulted in 204 additional traffic stops being made. Of those 204 additional traffic stops, 29 seatbelt violations were found. In addition, these additional traffic stops yielded 4 drug related violations, 4 driving under suspension violations, 3 driving under the influence of alcohol violations, 3 reckless driving violations, 2 weapons violations, 3 open alcohol container violations, and 39 speeding violations.
This type of grant and mobilization is proven to work and reduce traffic related fatalities by getting people to use their seatbelts. Additionally, these types of grants allow Law Enforcement the opportunity to reduce other traffic and criminal activity happening on the roadway. The Hastings Police Department thanks the Nebraska Department of Transportation for awarding us the funds to participate.
The Hastings Police Department reminds everyone traveling in a vehicle to wear their seatbelt.
