Residents Reminded to Buckle-Up, Day and Night

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office encourages everyone on the road to wear their seat belts every trip -- day and night.

Law enforcement in Loudoun County are on the lookout for those not wearing their seat belts -- and for good reason. Most recent data noted that in 2014 in Virginia, 52 percent of all traffic fatalities, or 256 deaths, were unrestrained drivers and passengers. Almost half of the unrestrained fatalities occurred at night, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 3 a.m. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wearing a seat belt increases your chance of surviving a crash by 45 percent and in pickup trucks, SUVs and mini-vans that number jumps to 60 percent.

"We are committed to reducing the number of serious injuries and fatalities along Loudoun's roadways," said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman. "Wearing your seat belt can save your life. Our goal is to get you into the habit of wearing your seat belt and ensuring that all of your passengers are wearing their seat belts too," Sheriff Chapman added.

In 2015, Virginia's statewide seat belt use rate was 80.5 percent. 

Virginia law requires all front seat occupants of motor vehicles be restrained, and any passenger from birth to 18 years old be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat or seat belt. Virginia law also requires that rear-facing child restraint devices be placed in the back seat of a vehicle.