U.S. Virgin Islands – U.S. Virgin Islands – The Virgin Islands Police Department VIPD)/Office of Highway Safety (VIOHS) in collaboration with the VI Department of Property and Procurement (VIDPP) conducted a soft launch for an inaugural initiative aiming to improve seat belt compliance. During the event, “Seat Belts Must Be Worn in this Vehicle at All Times” stickers were installed in VIDPP vehicles in the St. Croix District. The process will continue across departments territory-wide during the vehicle registration process in October. Stickers will serve as a daily reminder that seat belt compliance is required for all vehicle occupants (20 VIC, §466).
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts have been proven to reduce injury and fatality risks for crash victims. “We believe this initiative will not only inspire and improve execution of seat belt wearing within government vehicles but also cascade throughout the community,” advised Assistant Commissioner Khalid Pickering. “Seat belts save lives and reduce injuries in event of crashes.” Reduced risks also equate to reduced health and employee costs for vehicle occupants and employers.
Data collected through the VIOHS 2024 Annual Observational Seat Belt Survey (SBS) reported that only 71.0% of drivers and their front seat passengers wear seat belts. The compliance rate for counterparts on the mainland is 91.9% – a huge disparity. According to the SBS, the compliance rate for local rear seat passengers was 70.0% overall and 50.7% for children under age 8. “With an average of 14 crashes reported daily, it is imperative that we make seat belt compliance a habit,” warned VIOHS Director Daphne O’Neal. “This collaboration, coupled with increased enforcement, should increase seat belt compliance among government employees and positively affect compliance beyond working hours.”
For more child passenger safety information or resources, contact the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety through Director Daphne O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov, Occupant Protection Program Manager Denise Gomes at denise.gomes@vipd.vi.gov, or via telephone at (340) 712-6073 or (340) 473-7383.
