By By Robbie Byrd, News Editor
Police patrols will be scouring the streets of Atmore as a part of the Click it or Ticket program this summer in an effort to reduce accidents on the road.
The APD announced Wednesday that they had been chosen to participate in the program.
In an effort to save lives and reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries on Alabama roadways, Gov. Don Siegelman launched the Click it or Ticket program, spearheaded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
Through this initiative, ADECA has provided grants to state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies to conduct massive enforcement of the state's safety belt laws, with special emphasis on public safety checkpoints.
Investigator with the APD Chuck Brooks said the program is not an attempt for the department to write citations, but to help save lives.
However, in a release prepared by the APD, there will be "zero tolerance for those who do not wear their seat belts or restrain their child passengers."
Brooks said that the program is ongoing this summer because of the increased traffic throughout the city.
Before initiating the program, ADECA canvassed the southeast area conducting surveys of the number of people wearing seat belts.
After last years success with the Click it or Ticket program, surveys show that seat belt use has risen dramatically.
As well as seat belt enforcement, officers will be watching for speeders, other traffic violations, and possibly the most dangerous of all violatoins, DUI's.
The APD will be conducting DUI saturations throughout the summer months. The first started this weekend, with the next slated for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend.
The APD will also be conducting seat belt checkpoints throughout the summer at different locations. At the checkpoints, law enforcement officials will be asking motorists for their driver's license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Officers will also inspect vehicles for any other violations.
For more information on Click it or Ticket, visit their website at www.clickit-or-ticket.com or call the APD at 368-9141.