Sheriff’s Office to Launch Thanksgiving Seat Belt Campaign

SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan. — The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office reminds drivers and passengers to buckle up as they travel during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and traffic crashes increase as more people take to the road. The Sheriff’s Office has joined law enforcement agencies across Kansas for the Thanksgiving Safe Arrival campaign, which runs Nov. 22–29. Deputies will increase patrols during the campaign to enforce seat belt laws and promote safe driving.

The campaign is funded through a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). KDOT’s Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) coordinates four annual enforcement efforts with local and state agencies to increase seat belt use and reduce impaired and distracted driving. The campaigns take place around Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, buckling up is the single most effective way to save your life in a crash. The shoulder belt should lay flat across the middle of the chest and away from the neck, while the lap belt should fit across the hips rather than the stomach. Seat belts should never be worn behind the back or under the arm. Children must be secured in car seats or booster seats that fit their age, weight, and height.

For more information about seat belt safety, visit www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/seat-belts.

-end-