ILLINOIS CONDUCTS BLITZ TO URGE SEAT BELT USE

ULLIN, Ill. -- Illinois State Police officers will be asked to lock their seat-belt warning books in the trunk for the first week of February.

Motorists who have not yet become regular seat belt users can expect a "firm reminder" if they are stopped by state police during the state's second statewide seat belt enforcement blitz, which started Sunday, and will continue for three weeks.

"Troopers are being instructed that the normal procedure will be to issue a ticket to those who choose to violate the law," said Master Sgt. Jerry Rosson of District 22 headquarters at Ullin.

Rosson added that some warnings may be given during the first two weeks of the blitz, at the trooper's discretion.

"However, during the third week starting Feb. 2 troopers will be asked to lock the warning books in the trunk," said Rosson, who added that the blitz is an intensified public awareness and enforcement effort intended to help Illinois reach a 70 percent compliance rate by the end of 1992.

Informal state police surveys conducted in Illinois last year, during the state's participation in the first nationwide blitz, show that more people are buckling up.

"During the first blitz, our enforcement increased by 400 percent and compliance rates increased 9.3 percent on major highways," noted Rosson. "In addition to stepped up enforcement last year, we enlisted community support to promote the life-saving habit of using safety belts and child safety seats."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reaching a 70 percent compliance rate in Illinois could save 120 to 140 lives, and prevent approximately 6,000 serious injuries annually. Nationally, the NHTSA says 70 percent seat belt usage could save 5,900 to 6,700 lives annually.

Rossen said that troopers do not make it a practice to stop motorists solely for seat belt violations. But, many violations are found when vehicles are stopped for safety checks, or for faulty equipment, he said.