In an effort to clamp down on seat belt violations and enhance road safety, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) has kicked off its "Buckle Up Arizona" campaign. The two-week push, designed to enforce seat belt usage, is bankrolled by a tidy sum of $15,000 from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). This cash injection is earmarked for overtime and associated expenses as the campaign takes shape from May 20 to June 2.

The urgency of the campaign is underlined by the stark figures released by state troopers who, investigating crashes on highways and interstates until May 19th, tallied up 128 fatal collisions this year alone. Regrettably, 49 victims had their lives snuffed out whilst not secured by seat belts. In a statement obtained by AZDPS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites that seat belts slash the rate of severe injuries and deaths by 50% in crashes.

Lieutenant Colonel Deston Coleman Jr., the Assistant Director of the Highway Patrol Division, wove a narrative of unity and resolve amongst law enforcement agencies in battling roadway tragedies. "The partnership between the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, and our other law enforcement agencies is critical," Coleman asserted. He went on to stress the dual strategy of the joint forces—education and enforcement, to promote the life-saving habit of buckling up. "Remember, make a click for a safer trip," Coleman reminded Arizona motorists, as per the AZDPS revelation.