NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With Click It or Ticket once again in the rear view mirror, Hutch Post asked Hutchinson Police Chief Brice Burlie how special enforcement periods like that work with staffing.
"It's based off the funding amount that we get," Burlie said. "Usually we'll put out two to four officers to enforce seatbelt violations. The enforcement is an opportunity for us to get out and remind people about buckling up and driving safely. This gives us the opportunity to put additional two to four officers out during periods of the day where the traffic's at its highest. It's not only for enforcement, it's a reminder to everybody and it's also an education piece to make sure that they know that driving with your seatbelts on is the way to go because seatbelts prove to save lives. That federal grant money allows us to put those additional officers out there and do the enforcement plus the education."
Burlie said they actually do write seatbelt tickets.
"I don't have the numbers. I know it's still quite a few. I would say it's still about the same amount that we would issue year to year. I would like to say that we're getting a little bit better at it, and I think really overall we are, especially when it comes to the education piece with children. Those parents have done a far better job than what it used to be back when I came on many, many years ago. I think we've done a real good job on that front. Also technology in vehicles, I think have helped us out a lot. Good reminders with the red lights and bells dinging, gets the people to put their seatbelts on too, so I think we're moving in the right direction. It's just a continual process though for right now."
According to KDOT, observed belt use rate for drivers and outboard passengers was at 85.92% in 2021.
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