Be on the look out!

Bella Vista Police will be conducting a seat belt checkpoint from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the intersection of Hampstead Road and Chaucer Drive.

Chief Ken Farmer said the goal of the checkpoint is seat belt compliance, not ticket revenue.

An Aug. 27 checkpoint at Riordan and Chelsea Roads at the same time of day resulted in 10 tickets issued to those not buckled, despite those drivers waiting in a line of traffic to approach an officer, Farmer said.

A total of 803 vehicles came through that day,resulting in 17 citations, two warrant arrests and one driving while intoxicated arrest.

The checkpoint is part of the ongoing Buckle Up Bella Vista! campaign to promote seat belt safety awareness.

The program is sponsored by a grant from the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police and will continue through October.

— Special to The Weekly Vista

News, Pages 5 on 09/11/2013