OCCUPANT PROTECTION

The Shelburne Police Department prides itself not only on the training that we provide our officers, nor strictly on our public relations efforts, we also include in the mix our enforcement efforts.  We feel that the enforcement efforts are an integral piece to the overall effort to reduce motor vehicle crashes, and increase the awareness of occupant safety measures.

The Shelburne Police Department also has two officers that are trained in Advanced Collision Reconstruction (ACR).  ACR officers are available to assist in the investigation or major crashes to help determine the primary cause of a collision.  Their investigations are taken into account when the Traffic Safety Coordinator creates directed enforcement efforts, such as those list below.

Click-It or Ticket Campaign:

Shelburne, Vermont – More than 15,000 passenger vehicle occupants died in traffic crashes between the nighttime hours of 6:00 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. during 2005, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – and 59 percent of those passenger vehicle occupants killed were NOT wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crash.

The proportion of unbuckled deaths at night is considerably higher than the nearly as alarming 44 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who were not wearing their seats belts and were killed during daytime hours across the nation that same year.

That’s why Shelburne Police Department announced today they are joining with state and local law enforcement and highway safety officials during mid-May through Memorial Day to launch an aggressive national "Click-It or Ticket" seat belt enforcement mobilization to crack down on low seat belt use and to reduce highway fatalities – with a new emphasis this year on convincing more motorists to buckle up – day and night.

“Seat belts clearly save lives. But unfortunately, too many folks still need a tough reminder, so we are going to be out in force buckling down on those who are not buckled up,” said Sgt. Allen Fortin. “Wearing your seat belt costs you nothing, but the cost for not wearing it certainly will. So unless you want to risk a ticket, or worse - your life, please remember to buckle up day and night – "Click-It or Ticket".

Vermont Seat Belt Usage Data:

Source:  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Training:

In 2000, the Shelburne Police Department initiated a Child and Occupant Protection Program, by sending two officers to Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician training.  In 2006, two additional officers were sent to the week long CPS training.  This allowed us to increase the number of certified technicians to five, accounting for approximately 50% of our Full-time officers staff.  All Shelburne CPS Technicians attended 8 hours of continuing education annually.

Public Education:

• Click-It or Ticket Campaign:

The Shelburne Police Department is continually looking at new ways to get the message of occupant protection out to the public.  In 2006, the Shelburne Police Department coordinated efforts with the Shelburne Highway Department to get the "Click-It or Ticket" message out.  We obtained signs from the Governor's Highway Safety Program with the "Click-It or Ticket" logo, which were then installed on several street signs located on heavily traveled roadways.  Decals were also installed on most of the Shelburne Highway Department's vehicles, allowing for maximum visibility and showing the interagency cooperation of Shelburne's campaign efforts.  As the fleet of trucks are replaced, new decals will be adhered to the fleet so that we can continue to advertise the important message of seat belt safety.

Sgt. Allen Fortin of the Shelburne Police Department headed the Click-It or Ticket Task Force, for the northwest portion of Vermont, which includes the areas from Middlebury to the Canadian Boarder.  Sgt. Fortin worked hard to coordinate the efforts of State and Local agencies during the campaign to provide a strong enforcement presences to support the State and National Ad Campaign. 

During the "Click-It or Ticket" campaign a letter was sent to all Elementary, Middle and High Schools containing vital information regarding Seat Belt Safety and our wish that school administrators make announcements about the "Click-It or Ticket" campaign to the students and parents.

• Child Passenger Safety:

In addition to the flyers and leaflets that are handed out at special events, or through the school system, the Shelburne Police Department has continued to maintain the "Child Passenger Restraint Information Center" in our department lobby.  This information center is managed by one of the CPS Technicians, and offers numerous pamphlets and bulletins on Child Seat Safety.  This board becomes extremely useful when no CPS Technician is on duty, allowing citizens to help themselves to the information until an appointment can be made to speak with a CPS Technician.

In 2006, the CPS Technicians attended numerous checkpoints sponsored by the Governor's Highway Safety Program and conducted safety checks by appointments while on duty.  Once again Sgt. Allen Fortin, at the request of the Governor's Highway Safety Program, was asked to be a Senior Child Car Technician in 2006.  To obtain this status, Sgt. Fortin attended six of the statewide Child Car Seat Inspection sights, and inspected and oversaw new technician's child seat installations. 

Information on child passenger safety and seat belt use are sent home at the beginning of the school year and periodic checks are conducted at the schools to see that parents are complying with Child Restraint laws.  While visiting these locations, if a child safety seat misuse is noted, it is corrected at that time.  Child safety seat education is also provided at area day care facilities.

In 2006, we once again participated in the "Booster Seat Mini Grant" program, sponsored by the Governor's Highway Safety Program.  We filed the appropriate applications and were awarded the grant.  In coordination with the nurse at the Shelburne Community School, the Shelburne Police Department was able to distribute approximately 20 booster seats to families and their children, who may otherwise not have been able to afford them.

During the National Seat Belt Safety Week in February 2006, the Shelburne Police Department setup Booster Seat presentations every day in both Shelburne Community School and Hinesburg Community School.  Shelburne Police utilized the Governor's Highway Safety Program Program's Demonstrator to show the proper use of Booster Seats for Children ranging in ages from one to three.

In 2006, the Shelburne Police Department gave local car dealerships occupant safety packages containing informative materials pertaining specifically to Child Seat Safety and Occupant Protection.  It is our hope that consumers will make informed vehicle purchases based, not just on the latest amenities and luxuries, but also on the safety measures that are available to the consumer to meet both State Federal occupant safety regulations.  We also provided several other local business with information, as requested.

Updated:  07/21/2007