Mineral Wells Index, Mineral Wells, TX

Local News

May 14, 2008

Drivers who don’t click it could be in for a ticket

By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com

Thanks to a Texas Department of Transportation grant, the Mineral Wells Police Department is stepping up their enforcement of seatbelt safety during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.

From May 19 through June 1st, Mineral Wells Police Chief Jerry White said local police officers will patrol the community, focusing on seatbelt violators.

“We’ll be out there for this time frame,” White said. “We will be focusing on seatbelts, not only with drivers but with passengers and children as well.”

This is the fifth year for the MWPD to participate in the “Click it or Ticket” program. According to TxDOT, “thousands of state troopers, police officers and sheriff’s deputies will be on Texas streets and highways … issuing citations to drivers who aren’t buckled up and whose children aren’t properly restrained. This year, law enforcement will also pay attention to front-seat passengers, observed not wearing safety belts.”

To monitor effectiveness, White said the department will conduct a survey of motorists who don’t wear seatbelts this week and a post-evaluation after June 1 to determine if the extra measures impacted people’s seatbelt habits.

According to the Texas Transportation Institute, less than eight of every 10 passengers in pickups buckle up.

“Since pickups are twice as likely as passenger vehicles to roll over in a fatal crash, we worry about the safety of people who don’t take the simple precaution of buckling up when they’re in a truck,” said Carlos Lopez, TxDOT’s traffic operations director. “Wearing a safety belt reduces the risks of dying in a pickup rollover crash by as much as 80 percent.”

The MWPD received an $8,000 grant this year, $3,000 more than last year. White said the grant is a 100 percent reimbursement grant and would allow police officers to work an additional 200 hours during the two-week period.

According to the Mineral Wells court clerk, a ticket for failure to wear a seatbelt costs $162. If a child is unrestrained in a vehicle, the driver can be issued a $175 citation.

“The simple act of buckling up is the easiest, least expensive and most effective way to prevent traffic deaths and injuries,” said Lopez. “It also can keep you from getting a ticket.”

Text Only
Local News
  • City ends water use restrictions

    Based upon direction from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the City of Mineral Wells is terminating all water use restrictions which have been in place since Oct. 18.

    February 8, 2012

  • Weekend property crimes reported

    According to Mineral Wells police, several property crimes were reported over the past weekend.

    February 7, 2012

  • Three transported to PPGH after crash

    Occupants from two vehicles involved in a wreck Saturday morning were transported to Palo Pinto General hospital, where they received treatment for minor injuries.

    February 7, 2012

  • County Records

    Palo Pinto County
    Clerk Janette Green

    February 7, 2012

  • Crews respond to two weekend structure fires

    According to Mineral Wells Fire Department records, firefighters were called to two structure fires over the weekend.

    February 7, 2012

  • 1950s Sock Hop event to benefit Salvation Army

    The community is invited to take a trip back to the 1950s as a unique way to raise money for the Salvation Army.

    February 6, 2012

  • Council to meet in Tuesday session

    The Mineral Wells City Council is scheduled to meet in regular session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the City Hall Annex, 115 S.W. 1st St.

    February 6, 2012

  • RJ Ware.jpg Ware to speak at Heritage Association

    RJ Ware will be the guest speaker at Thursday’s meeting of the Mineral Wells Heritage Association.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • 001.jpg Currency buyers event coming to town

    Mineral Wells is the next stop on the list for the International Coin Collectors Association’s world tour.  During this event at the Best Western Club House Hotel Inn and Suites, 4410 U.S. Highway 180 East, the ICCA will be purchasing coins, paper currency, gold and silver on behalf of their global network of collectors, dealers and refineries.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • Capt Jack_1.jpg PET OF THE WEEK: Catahoula mix looking for a new place to call home

    “Capt. Jack” is a short hair, mixed-breed dog – mostly Catahoula leopard – with an intriguing red merle-patterned coat. This approximately 2-year-old, 55-pound male also has one blue eye and one brown eye. He will need to be fixed as part of his adoption.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

Featured Ads
Front page
Front page
Front page
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House' Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo. Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
Seasonal Content
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Stocks
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Front page
Poll

If you the Texas Republican primary election was today and you were voting, which GOP candidate would you vote for?

Mitt Romney
Newt Gingrich
Rick Santorum
Ron Paul
Other
Undecided
     View Results