The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has awarded the Arizona Department of Public Safety a $20,000 grant to fund overtime and other expenses for the upcoming “Buckle Up Arizona” enforcement campaign.

The two-week effort is set to begin on Monday, May 22, and will conclude on Sunday, June 4.

Arizona state troopers as of April 24 had investigated 103 fatal crashes on highways and interstates in 2023.

Of the individuals killed in those crashes, 41 people were not wearing seat belts, DPS officials said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seat belt use reduces the risk of serious crash-related injuries and fatalities by approximately 50%.

“The partnership between the Department of Public Safety, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and our other law enforcement agencies is critical,” said Lt. Col. Deston Coleman Jr., assistant director of the Highway Patrol Division.

“We are all dedicated to reducing fatalities both through education and enforcing the use of seat belts and child restraints.”

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org