News Release Contact: Kevin R. Malone 1399 American Pacific Dr. Henderson, NV 89014 Office: (702) 486-1311 Pager: (702) 598-8926

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 12, 2000
NEWS FROM: Office of Traffic Safety 00-102

Nevada Seat Belt Usage Shows Remarkable Gain
Federal Traffic Safety Grants More Than Triple

The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety is pleased to announce seat belt usage in the Silver State has risen nearly ten percent in the past two years. As a result, Nevada has landed federal incentive grant money totaling $687,000 for fiscal year 2000.

"I am pleased that more Nevada drivers than ever are buckling up," said Highway Safety Coordinator Joanne Keller. "Our message is getting out: seat belts do save lives."

The federal incentive grants awarded to the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety can be used for any traffic safety related program. Projects funded in the past two years include:

• "Ride Safe" Child Safety Seat Program
• Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Education
• Pedestrian Education for Seniors
• Safe Communities Partnerships
• DUI Checkpoints and Traffic Enforcement in Six Cities and Counties
• Equipment Grants for the NHP, Reno PD and North Las Vegas

The seat belt usage figures are based on an observational study conducted by the Nevada Department of Transportation at 50 sites across the state. One major change noted in the study was that seat belt usage on Nevada's urban interstate highways rose from 80% to 90% during 1999.

For more information, contact Highway Safety Coordinator Joanne Keller at (775) 687-5720.

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