Nashville, Tennessee --- Drivers of commercial vehicles are among the lowest users of seat belts - a tool that greatly reduces the risk of injury and increases survival in motor vehicle crashes. To reverse that trend, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is launching "Safety Enforcement and Trucks" (SEAT), a statewide seat belt enforcement campaign geared specifically toward truck drivers.

Beginning October 1 Troopers will closely monitor truck drivers who violate state and federal laws that make it mandatory to wear a seat belt. During the three-month SEAT campaign, Troopers will track seat belt usage among truck drivers and issue citations to those not buckled up.

"The safety of all motorists is the department's primary goal," said Tennessee Department of Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips. "Of the 1,193 motorists who were killed on Tennessee's roads last year, nearly 10 percent of these deaths resulted from crashes involving a commercial vehicle. While the new enforcement campaign focuses on truck drivers buckling up, it's important for everyone to wear their seat belt. It's simply a matter a safety."

The SEAT campaign was developed by THP to help achieve an overall goal of increasing seat belt usage among commercial drivers by 10 percent in the coming year. While the seat belt usage rate has risen nationally to 79 percent, the usage rate among commercial vehicle drivers remains far below at 48 percent according to a recent report by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

"We'll do what it takes to send the message to truckers that seat belt usage is a must in Tennessee," said THP Colonel Lynn Pitts. "Unfortunately the only thing that gets the attention of some drivers is a citation. But a ticket is a small sacrifice compared to the injuries and fatalities that can result from not wearing a seat belt."

Troopers will patrol all 95 counties across the state placing special emphasis on areas with a high volume of commercial vehicle traffic. To further monitor seat belt usage of commercial drivers, THP will use video cameras placed at strategic locations. The SEAT campaign will also provide an opportunity for Troopers to provide each violator stopped with educational information on the importance of wearing a safety belt.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.