Article: Night-Vision Goggles Help Seatbelt Campaign

[JJT]

Night-Vision Goggles Help Seatbelt Campaign



POSTED: 9:36 am PDT June 2, 2005


ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The "Click It or Ticket" campaign is getting some high-tech help in suburban Washington.
Maryland State Police are using a military tool to make sure drivers buckle up.





Officers had night vision goggles on Rockville Pike outside the nation's capital last night to look inside darkened cars. Police said they can see from a distance whether drivers have their seat belts fastened.



Authorities said 40 percent of drivers are less likely to wear their seat belts at night and that could be deadly. Maryland State Police Cpl. Kevin Sherwood told Washington, D.C., television station WRC that night-vision goggles are an effective way to catch those drivers.



Maryland authorities said they issued 111 citations Wednesday night as part of the campaign.

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