Seatbelts, highway safety, summer travel
May 10, 2005
The Wyoming Highway Patrol wants drivers on Wyoming roads to be aware of upcoming safety campaigns and recent changes in seat belt laws for children.
WHP will be putting out more troopers and becoming more visible in an effort to promote compliance in areas which will help reduce traffic crashes and encourage motorists to drive more safely. Troopers will be strictly enforcing speed limits. Fines are double for speeding violations through road construction zones.
Wyoming Highway Patrol figures from 2004 indicate 32 percent of all highways deaths were alcohol or drug related. In addition, of those killed in impaired driving crashes, almost 81 percent were not properly restrained. Drivers can use their cell phones to report suspected drunk drivers through the REDDI (Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately) program phone number toll free at 1-800-442-9090 to make a report.
Wyoming does not have a primary seat belt law, however, the driver and any passenger may receive a citation for not wearing occupant restraints if the vehicle is stopped by a law enforcement officer for a violation. A new child restraint law went into effect in Wyoming in February, 2005. Any child under age nine (9) must be in a child restraint and may not be placed in the front seat of the vehicle, unless there is no rear seat in the vehicle.
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