The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office participated in the statewide youth seat belt mobilization conducted March 15-31.  During the enforcement effort, Deputes issued a total of thirty (30) traffic tickets including twenty three (23) speeding tickets, seven (7) other tickets for various hazardous moving violations.  No seat belt tickets were issued.  157 warnings were issued to motorists as a result of the crackdown.

"Seat belts are your single best defense in a crash," stated Sheriff Brad 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, 26 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 seatbelt usage, visit www.saveMOlives.com.