The Atlantic Beach Police Department recently participated in a statewide two-week seatbelt safety initiative. While some citizens may have received citations, the primary goal of this effort was to enhance safety in our community.
The initiative is part of a larger strategy which uses the traditional media, social media, and enforcement to increase seatbelt compliance, with the aim of reaching Vision Zero — a goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The Police Department conducts pre- and post-enforcement surveys to measure the impact of these initiatives.
Here's a look at the positive trends in seatbelt usage:
- 2024: A pre-enforcement survey showed 85% seatbelt compliance, which rose to 93% after enforcement.
- 2025: This year, the pre-enforcement survey indicated an impressive 94% compliance, further increasing to 96% in the post-enforcement survey.
During the two-week initiative, the Police Department issued 170 seatbelt citations and 202 other citations. These actions, combined with the encouraging survey numbers, demonstrate a positive stride towards creating safer roads for everyone in our city.
The City has a new Vision Zero-inspired Safety Action Plan. Read it here.