Grants aid police in promoting safety
PRESQUE ISLE — Local law enforcement officers have beefed up efforts to promote seatbelt usage in the past two weeks and will continue to encourage safe driving through the holidays, thanks to two grants totaling $8,000 that will cover extra patrols.
“The Presque Isle Police Department is the recipient of two grants through the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety — one for $3,000 to promote the use of seatbelts, and the other totaling $5,000 which will be used in the coming weeks to prevent OUIs,” said Sgt. Joey Seeley, PIPD.
With the holidays upon us and millions of Americans hitting the roads, the MBHS wants everyone to arrive safely at their destinations. Drivers and passengers should be on the lookout as local law enforcement officers will be out in force, sending the strong message to “Click It or Ticket.”
“No one wants to start the holiday season off by receiving a ticket,” said Lauren Stewart, director, MBHS. “Save your money for turkey and buying presents for loved ones — don’t throw it away simply because you failed to buckle up.”
While seatbelt use is at a record high of 84 percent nationwide, 45 million Americans still fail to buckle up when they get in a motor vehicle. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on any given day about 38 passenger vehicle occupants who are not buckled up are killed in motor vehicle crashes. In Maine in 2009 there were 50 unbelted fatalities – three of which occurred in Aroostook County. Statistics show that those least likely to buckle up are teens, young adults, males, nighttime riders, motorists traveling on rural roads and individuals traveling in pick-up trucks.
The public’s assistance is greatly appreciated, according to Seeley.
“We’re looking for voluntary compliance. Wearing a seatbelt makes sense for a number of reasons: it’s the law and saves lives. With the slippery roads in the past few days, there’ve been several accidents, including a couple rollovers. Seatbelts have prevented serious injuries,” said Seeley.
Seeley said the OUI grant will help put more officers on the roads during the upcoming holidays.
“Christmas and New Year’s are typically associated with parties and merriment. People attend various parties that often include drinking. We’re asking anyone who plans to attend such gatherings and who drinks to assign a designated driver to ensure everyone gets home safely,” said Seeley. “We also are asking for the public’s help. If you see someone you think has had too much to drink that is attempting to drive, let us know. Or if you see someone operating erratically, report them. A simple phone call might save a life.”
For more information or to make a report, contact the PIPD at 764-4476.
