The beginning of summer signals a deadly period on Minnesota roads. With dry roads and blue skies, speeds increase and the safe driving behavior we practice during the winter months is thrown out the window – or the sunroof. Next week, and continuing into early June, you are likely to see more of the Kimball law enforcement squad cars on the road. The officers will be enforcing traffic laws as part of a nationwide, stepped-up effort to ensure safe driving. Topping our list is to check that every motorist is using the most simple and effective safety device while driving: A seat belt. Over several years of enforcing the seat belt law, we’ve heard scoffs and seen scowls. I’ll be the first to tell you that writing seat belt tickets isn’t the most exciting duty – but that doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile. In the past five years, seat belt non-use has cost Stearns County $76,180,800. More importantly, more than 73 persons have died and 1,874 have been injured because they didn’t buckle up. There’s no excuse not to wear a seat belt, and we’ve heard them all. “They’re uncomfortable.” “It wrinkles my blouse.” “I forgot to put it on.” And even, “I’m pregnant.” The bottom line is that wearing a seat belt beats flying through the windshield in the event of a crash. The Kimball Police Department isn’t hunting for a quota of tickets. With your cooperation, we hope to find only belted motorists. With your assistance, our officers won’t need to introduce ourselves to you during this enforcement campaign. But if you’re driving at-risk, we may see you on the side of the road. Chief Todd Rohloff, Kimball Police Department
