
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, November 12, 1993                   TAG: 9311130227
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER|
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Medium

DRIVER-SAFETY DEVICES' VALUE DRIVEN HOME

Doris M. Larson may no longer be secretary at the Pulaski Police Department, but she is a firm believer in seat belts and air bags for cars.

``Two months ago, I was involved in a three-vehicle accident,'' said Larson, who retired from the town in recent years. ``I could have been thrown through the windshield.''

But thanks to the air bag inflating and the seat belt holding her in place, she said, she was not even sore from an impact heard for several blocks by people in their homes.

``Statistics are that most traffic accidents occur within a few miles of home. All three drivers were within that radius,'' said Larson, known in Pulaski as the ``hat lady'' because of the variety of hats she wears. ``Please take my advice, and always buckle up before moving your vehicle.''

The Police Department agrees. In fact, with holidays approaching, Chief E.J. Williams and the department have launched a safety belt campaign.

Williams has notified motorists that, effective immediately, town officers will be strictly enforcing state laws requiring that seat belts be worn. ``The safety and well-being of all citizens is not only the department's duty, but their main concern,'' Williams said.

Officers will issue citations to anyone found to be in violation of those laws.

Virginia law requires that drivers and passengers from the age of 16 up riding in the front seat of a vehicle be properly restrained. Otherwise, they are subject to fines of $25.

Motorists are also subject to $25 fines if they transport anyone under 16 not properly restrained in the front seat. When children up to age 4 are not properly restrained, the driver is subject to fines of $50.

Williams said the efforts of his department to increase safety belt use over the past several years have been positively received by town citizens. He said he hoped citizens realized that citing those violating restraint laws is not intended as a punishment but a way of conveying to the public the importance of the safety and well-being of citizens.

Copies of current state safety belt laws can be obtained by calling Vanessa\ J. Hill, crime prevention coordinator with the department.

by CNB