Special patrols planned

Illinois State Police District 22 plans to conduct occupant restraint enforcement patrols in Union County during May.

Plans for the details were announced by Capt. Michael Alvey, who is the commander of the district.

The patrols will allow the state police to focus on safety belt and child safety seat laws.

Illinois law requires all passengers, in the front and back of a vehicle, to be buckled up.

The state police noted that safety belts are still one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles – and are estimated to save nearly 14,000 lives each year.

Half of vehicle occupants killed in a traffic crash were not properly buckled up.

The goal of the patrols is to increase occupant restraint compliance through education, child seat inspections and enforcement.