Saving lives by securing vehicle occupants throughout the state is the objective behind the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) “Vehicle Occupant Restraint Education and Instruction III (VOREIIII)” grant. In 2013, California achieved one of the higher seat belt usage rates in the nation at 97.4 percent. Through education and enforcement, the CHP is hoping to increase the seat belt usage rate while simultaneously reducing the number of people killed and injured in collisions.

“Every day, someone is killed in a collision simply because they were not properly secured in their vehicle,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Seat belts save lives, and our goal through this campaign is to ensure that every person traveling on California’s roadways is buckled up and protected in their vehicle.”

According to 2011 data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, 27 percent of vehicle occupants killed in collisions in California were not properly restrained. In addition to the 434 lives that were lost that year, more than 8,000 others were injured under similar circumstances.

“Buckling up is the most effective action a person can take to protect them from being injured or killed during a collision,” added Commissioner Farrow.

In order to accomplish the goal of increasing seat belt usage and preventing further injury and death, the CHP plans to inspect a minimum of 12,250 child safety seats; conduct 50 child passenger safety educational classes; and purchase and distribute 2,500 grant-funded child safety seats to people in need. Activity related to the VOREIIII grant continues through Sept. 30, 2014.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security to the people of California.