NHP plans seat belt checkpoint for Saturday

Motorist traveling west Saturday on Highway 50 in front of Mills Park will be stopped at a seat belt checkpoint.

From noon to 6 p.m. Carson City deputies and Nevada Highway Patrol troopers will be on hand to check each westbound vehicle in the 1100 block, said Carson City Sheriff's Deputy Jarrod Adams.

"The drivers of these vehicles will be checked to make sure they are using their seat belts, have a valid driver's license and they are not under the influence of alcohol. All other occupants will be checked to make sure they are using their seat belts and the children are properly restrained," he said.

Also on hand will be members of the Central Lyon County Fire Protection District, the Carson City Fire Department and the Peace Project to ensure the proper installation of child safety seats.

Overtime for the checkpoint is paid for by the Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety. Carson City deputies will work overtime hours from Wednesday through June 4 enforcing seat belts laws.

"Safety belts are the single most effective way to reduce injuries and fatalities on our roads. Over 65 percent of fatalities recorded on Nevada roadways were from not wearing seat belts. Almost 20 percent of the motoring public does not wear safety belts on a regular basis," Adams said. "It has been determined that high visibility of traffic enforcement is one of the best way to ensure compliance with seat belt laws."