IUPD preps for booster seat law

In the next few weeks, IU Police Department officers will participate in Operation Pullover, a statewide outreach campaign to highlight the importance of wearing seatbelts. The campaign is running in conjunction with the passing of a new booster seat law.\nThe new law, which will take effect in July, will require all children 8 years old or younger to ride in a booster seat. In addition, anyone 16 years or younger must be restrained by a safety belt regardless of where they are sitting in the vehicle.\nViolators of the new law will pay a $25 fine for committing a Class D infraction. Money collected from the fines will go toward a state fund that will distribute child restraint systems to those who can't afford them.\nIUPD Operation Pullover Coordinator Lt. Tom Lee said that in addition to educating drivers about the upcoming law, IUPD officers will be out in the community issuing citations under Indiana's current seatbelt laws.\nLee said in a statement that IUPD hopes this emphasis will cause people to be prepared for the important changes that will take place this summer.\nUnder Indiana's existing laws, all front seat passengers must wear a safety belt at all times. If they violate the law, they could face a $25 fine.\nIUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said checkpoints will be set up on and around campus through Feb. 19 to make sure drivers and passengers are following the seatbelt laws.\n"Sometimes people need a ticket as a reminder to pay attention," Minger said. "It's unfortunate we have to ticket, but sometimes there's no other way."\nAccording to IUPD statistics, 222 of the 1,038 citations issued for moving violations in 2004 were for seatbelt violations.\n"When we stop people for not having restraints, we are hoping they will become more conscious and take part in these new provisions," Minger said. "We have tried to approach checkpoints from an educational perspective."\nAccording to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for 2-year-olds and people between the ages of 4 and 33 in 2001 in the United States. \n"I think (wearing a seatbelt) gets portrayed in such a negative light because one of the things people immediately think of is 'I'm only driving a few blocks,' but historically the overwhelming majority of accidents occur within five blocks of residence," Minger said.\nA second reason people neglect to wear their seatbelt is the belief that they are a safe driver, Minger said.\n"They may be the best driver in the world, but that doesn't mean every driver on the street is a good driver," he said. "Accidents happen. Vehicles overturn all the time. No matter how safe you are, a seatbelt ultimately protects you."\nFor more information on Indiana's current or upcoming seatbelt laws, visit www.preventinjury.org. \n-- Contact Staff Writer Lori Geller at lfgeller@indiana.edu.