The Guide includes examples of Feedback Signs. These signs were conspicuously posted on heavily traveled roads and displayed updated belt use rates and the high record use rate. Enforcement strategies were specified by day of week and time of day. Operations conducted jointly with participating agencies conveyed a unified enforcement presence and strengthened the message. The Guide describes particular types of enforcement that can vary based on state laws, size of agency, and staff resources and may include checkpoints, saturation patrols, regular patrols, or a combination.
Officer training is key to implementing an effective enforcement program.
Officers who understand seat belt and child safety seat laws and the reasons why enforcement is so crucial to increasing belt use are more likely to earnestly and effectively carry out a seat belt enforcement program. The Guide describes training curricula and materials and where to obtain them. Tracking the progress of the sTEP and reporting this progress to the community achieves a heightened perception of risk and provide accountability to campaign sponsors. It will be useful to any community who wants to increase their seat belt use rates in a short period of time. Alan Block and Linda Cosgrove, Ph.D., were the contract managers for various parts of this project.