VCU Police Set Safety Checkpoint

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Virginia Commonwealth University Police will check for operator licenses and vehicle registrations during a traffic safety checkpoint this weekend.

VCU Police will operate the checkpoint from 11 p.m. on Friday, May 28, until 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 29. The checkpoint will take place along the 700 block of West Main Street.

The checkpoint is being funded through a Virginia Highway Safety Grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Vehicles will be screened by officers from the VCU Police Department, the City of Richmond Police Department and Virginia State Police and agents from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Bureau of Law Enforcement.

The checkpoint takes place as the VCU Police Department participates in the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign to encourage drivers to use seat belts.

Figures from the Virginia Highway Safety Office at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles show there were 756 traffic-related fatalities in Virginia in 2009 and in 333 of those fatalities, no safety restraint was used.

According to Virginia Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) information, death rates are eight times higher and hospitalizations are twice as likely when occupants are not using seat belts or child safety restraints.

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Editor’s Note: A staging area will be established at the checkpoint for media and other official observers. VCU Police Cpl. Jonathan Siok is coordinator for this checkpoint.