David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

This Thanksgiving, whether you are Black Friday shopping or traveling to visit loved ones, the Kingsport Police Department and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office want you to Arrive Alive, so we are taking this opportunity to remind you to Buckle Up, Tennessee. Every trip, Every time.

In the State of Tennessee, violations of occupant protection laws are considered primary offenses, meaning that if an officer observes a motorist not wearing a seatbelt, or a child not properly restrained in a child passenger safety seat, the officer may stop and cite the motorist for the seatbelt or child passenger safety seat violation without observing any other criminal or traffic offenses.

Occupant protection laws apply not just to the driver, but to every individual in the automobile. At the age of 16, a passenger assumes personal responsibility for the wearing of their seatbelt and would receive their own citation for not wearing one; however, the driver would be cited for each passenger under the age of 16 who is not properly restrained.

Wearing a seatbelt can easily make the difference in a motorist being seriously injured or killed in a crash versus walking away from the crash with minor injuries or no injuries whatsoever. The Kingsport Police Department encourages ALL occupants of ALL motor vehicles to wear their seatbelt ALL of the time. It is the law, but more importantly, it might just save your life.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton