Illinois State Police District 19 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Lance Hinkle, announces the ISP will conduct Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) in Saline and Gallatin Counties during October. OREPs allow ISP to focus on safety belt and child safety seat laws. Illinois law requires all vehicle passengers (front and back) to buckle up!
Safety belts are still one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles, estimated to save nearly 14,000 lives each year. Half of all vehicle occupants killed in a traffic crash were not properly buckled up. The objective of this program is to increase occupant restraint compliance through education, child seat inspections, and enforcement.