Brookland Police to Begin Seat Belt Enforcement Campaign with Help from State Grant

BROOKLAND, Ark. – The Brookland Police Department is stepping up traffic enforcement as part of a new effort to improve safety on local roads.

For the first time, the department is taking part in the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, or STEP, through a grant from the Arkansas Highway Safety Office.

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The grant reimburses the city for officer overtime during specific enforcement campaigns. The goal is to reduce crashes, injuries and deaths by making sure drivers follow existing traffic laws.

The first campaign, called “Click It or Ticket,” runs from May 19 through June 1. During that time, Brookland officers will be out looking for drivers and passengers who aren’t wearing seat belts or who aren’t using child safety restraints as required by Arkansas law.

“We work a dangerous stretch of highway between Jonesboro and Paragould,” said Chief Jon Moore. “Wearing your seat belt is one of the simplest things you can do to protect yourself.”

The campaign is part of a national push led by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Law enforcement agencies across the country take part, especially around the Memorial Day holiday.

In 2023, about 92% of people in the U.S. used seat belts, but officials say that number could be better. The other 8% still need reminders, especially at night, when crashes involving unbelted passengers are more common.

More than half of men killed in crashes in 2023 were not wearing seat belts, according to NHTSA. For women, the rate was 41%.

“We see crashes all the time that could have had different outcomes if someone had just buckled up,” Moore said. “If this campaign helps change even one person’s habits, it’s worth it. We’re also asking families and friends to remind each other—it really can save a life.”

More information about the Click It or Ticket campaign is available at NHTSA.gov/ClickIt.