Indiana State Police to Conduct Commercial
Motor Vehicle Seatbelt Enforcement Blitz
Indiana- Indiana State Police Commercial Motor Vehicle Officers and Motor
Carriers Inspectors will be participating in a statewide blitz September 24-30
that will concentrate on Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) seatbelt enforcement
and education.
A goal for the
Indiana State Police Commercial Motor Vehicle Division is to reduce the number
of CMV crashes, which will also lower the number of injuries and fatalities
related to those crashes. Education is a key component of this effort as
troopers continue to emphasize to commercial vehicle carrier companies, their
drivers and the drivers of passenger cars about the importance of voluntary compliance
with seatbelt and traffic laws. It is an
undisputed fact that proper seatbelt use reduces the possibility of injury or
death the result of a crash.
Specific to
commercial vehicle drivers, some operators are not properly wearing their
seatbelt. “Unfortunately, we are finding
– more often than not – that many CMV drivers are using a device on the
shoulder strap portion of the safety belt that is designed to reduce tension on
the shoulder,” stated Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
Division Commander Major Jon Smithers. “The loosening of the shoulder strap can
compromise the effectiveness of the safety belt and is also in violation of the
Indiana seatbelt law and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.”
Through continued
education and enforcement of Indiana’s seatbelt laws, lives can be saved. While our stated goal is voluntary
compliance, in those situations where a traffic ticket is warranted, commercial
vehicle operators will be cited for seatbelt violations.
It is important to
note that semi-tractors do not have any type of air bag safety system installed
within the cab of the truck, as compared to airbag systems installed in modern passenger
cars and pick-up trucks. Unsecured commercial truck drivers involved in crashes
can be thrown out of the driver’s seat resulting in a secondary crash when the
truck is not brought to a controlled stop.
More information on the
Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division can be found at www.in.gov/isp. Click
on the link “Commercial Vehicles.”
Safety Belt Facts and Tips:
Safety belts are proven to help drivers
maintain control of the vehicle when involved in a crash, thus minimizing the chance
of injury or death to you, your passengers, and other motorists.
Safety belts can prevent you from being
knocked unconscious in a crash, improving your chances
of escape from a burning or submerged vehicle.
You are four times more likely to be fatally
injured when thrown from
your vehicle the result of a crash. Your safety belt can keep you from being
ejected.
Driver error, severe weather, mechanical
failure, and tire
blowouts can all cause crashes. Safety belts prevent injuries by protecting your
head and spinal cord.
Safety belts are necessary even at low
speeds. In a frontal collision at 30 mph, an unbelted commercial vehicle driver
hits the windshield at that speed.
Seat, lap, and shoulder belts can be easily
adjusted to fit comfortably and correctly.
Buckling up takes
only about three seconds and can make a difference for a lifetime.
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MYERS
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