Scottsbluff Sees Increase in Seat Belt Usage Rate

The Scottsbluff Police Department participated in the nationwide “And Then It Clicked” seat belt enforcement wave. Scottsbluff Police Officers worked overtime funded by the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office. The enforcement period lasted from May 20TH to June 2ND 2024.

The goal to raise seat belt usage rate was achieved. A survey was conduct prior to the enforcement wave and the results were 50.75% of vehicles in Scottsbluff had properly seat belted occupants. A survey was conducted after the enforcement wave and 57% of vehicles had properly buckled occupants. Officer’s issued a total of 19 seat belt citations and three child safety seat citations.

Sgt Philip Eckerberg said “I am pleased that the efforts of Scottsbluff Police Officers paid off with a significant increase in our seat belt usage rate. The officers spent a lot of hours over the Memorial Day holiday working extra hours to achieve the increase.”

In addition to the seat belt and child safety seat citations the following enforcement activity occurred:

no valid registration 56, no lights 1, no operators license 8, failure to yield to crossing guard 1, no insurance 12, stop sign violation 3, possession of drug paraphernalia 5, improper turn 1, possession of controlled substance 3, driving under suspension 9, possession of marijuana 3, non-resident 30 immunity 1, window tint violation 4, traffic light violation 4, failure to yield 1, no license on person 3, fictitious license plates 3, learners permit violation 1, no motorcycle endorsement 2, following too close 3, leaving scene of traffic crash 1, 2 open containers of alcohol, 2 driving under the influence, 1 negligent driving, 1 texting while driving.

There were 182 warnings issued.