The Lexington Police Department will conduct a “Buckle up Phone Down” enforcement event Thursday, August 19th, 2021, from 5 pm – 10 pm, at the intersection of East Main Street and North Limestone.
Officers will be working to spot drivers and occupants who are not wearing seat belts, drivers that are texting while driving, and children who are not properly restrained. Officers will be standing by to initiate traffic stops on those drivers and occupants observed in violation of Kentucky laws.
The goal of this event is to increase seat belt usage and decrease driver texting while operating a motor vehicle.
In 2019, seatbelt usage saved an estimated 14,955 lives. According to NHTSA of the 22,215 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2019, 47% were not wearing seat belts and of those killed during nighttime hours, 55% were not restrained. As of April 2021, Kentucky’s seatbelt usage rate is 89.7% which is below the national average of seatbelt usage.
“We aggressively watch for drivers and occupants for seat belt use and for driver’s texting while driving violations year-round. Participation in the ‘Buckle up Phone Down’ campaign allows us the opportunity to join with police departments from around Kentucky dedicated to making our roadways safer,” said Sgt. David Flannery II.
