The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office participated in the statewide youth seat belt mobilization conducted April 1-15th.  During the enforcement effort, deputies issued a total of 12 traffic tickets including three (3) seat belt tickets, four (4) speeding tickets, and three (3) tickets for other hazardous moving violations.  22 warnings for various other traffic violations were also issued. 

Two (2) arrests were made for Driving Under the Influence (drugs) and one fugitive was apprehended as a result of the crackdown.

"Seat belts are your single best defense in a crash," stated Sheriff Brad A. DeLay.  "Law enforcement will continue to encourage drivers to make a simple, smart choice to buckle up and Arrive Alive."

Despite evidence proving the benefits of wearing a seat belt, over 25 percent of teens do not buckle up.  Seven out of ten Missouri teens killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled.

Buckle Up and Arrive Alive.  For information on Missouri seat belt usage, visit www.saveMOlives.com.