"Special Traffic Enforcement Program" is underway

Area law enforcement agencies on Monday will begin a "Special Traffic Enforcement Project" that will be keyed to Memorial Day but will run all the way through May 31st.

Extra enforcement efforts will take place from 6:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. due to the significant number of fatal crashes during that time.

The National HIghway Traffic Safety Administration says nearly half of the 21.132 fatalities on the nation's roads during 2013 were not wearing seat belts.  61 percent of those killed who were riding in back seats were not using seat belts.

The Decorah Police Department says it will be paying special attention to seat belt use the rest of the month because the single most effective way to reduce traffic fatalities is to wear a seat belt every day, every trip.