By: Natalie B. DeClusin, Attorney at Law
CALIFORNIA - Although the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has determined that an astounding 95.7 percent of California motorists use their seatbelts, they want to improve that statistic. This is largely based upon CHP’s finding that more than 30 percent of vehicle passengers killed in auto accidents in 2007 and 2008 were unrestrained.
In an effort to curb such statistics, the CHP has designated Tuesday, March 31, 2009 as Vehicle Occupant Restraint Day throughout the State of California. In an effort to teach motorists of the risks associated with failing to wear a seatbelt, officers will be out in full force on Tuesday looking for motorists and passengers committing seatbelt violations. Although the CHP understands that receiving a ticket is by no means as serious as being injured or killed in a car accident, this campaign will at least serve as a reminder that seatbelts do save lives.