Beckley Police Department
To Serve and Protect
IMPORTANT NUMBERS |
|
| Emergency | 911 |
| Police Main | (304)256-1720 |
| City Hall | (304)256-1768 |
 Records Division |
Detective Bureau |
Police K-9 Unit |
| Municipal Court |
Highway Safety |
Parking Enforcement |
| Support Services |
Training |
Narcotics Unit |
| Domestic Violence |
Highway Safety
The West Virginia Southern Regional Highway Safety Office is concerned with reducing the number of crashes in West Virginia. This is accomplished through saturation patrols and checkpoints targeting those drivers who are operating motor vehicles under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In addition, the goal is to reduce the number of injuries associated with motor vehicle crashes by educating the public of the importance in using seat belts.
Sergeant Paul Blume acts as the area program director and officer liaison for the Southern Regional Highway Safety Program.
CAR SEATS, BOOSTER SEATS AND SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES
The goal of Click-It or Ticket is to increase safety belt and
child safety seat use and promote the benefits of automatic protection devices
such as air bags.
It’s not about writing more tickets, it’s about saving more lives! Every time a law enforcement officer writes a safety belt citation, they’ll be thinking about how 55% of occupants killed in traffic crashes weren’t wearing safety belts at the time of their crash. That’s 31,693 dead neighbors, friends and families who might have escaped being labeled as statistics if they’d just buckled-up!
The law in West Virginia requires that all front seat passengers properly wear their seatbelts. All backseat passengers under the age of 18 must also be restrained by a seatbelt.
A child safety seat is required for children who are under eight(8) years of age, or under four foot nine inches (4’9”) tall. The seat used can be in the form of a standard safety seat or booster seat depending on the weight, height and age of the child. You should always refer to the limitations of the seat generally printed on the label to determine if the seat should be used. If you are unsure of the history of a child safety seat (ie.- involved in a crash or damaged), don’t use it. Your child’s safety and health is the most important thing.
If you would like help to install you child safety seat, we offer installation clinics. To schedule an installation, contact Nancy and the Beckley Fire Department at 256-1780. We have certified technicians from our police and fire departments who are happy to assist.
In 2004 - 136 people were killed in alcohol related traffic crashes. 33% of all fatalities in West Virginia were alcohol related. In order to combat these numbers, officers have been assigned during strategic times of the year to conduct checkpoints and saturation patrols.
These efforts places more officers out on the roadways looking for impaired drivers. When you drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you not only endanger yourself, but you endanger others. Those killed in traffic crashes are someone’s mother, father, daughter, son, wife and husband. It is our responsibility to not let friends drive drunk.
Even moderate amounts of alcohol can impair your senses. Remember, if you are caught driving under the influence, you will be arrested.
Southern Regional Highway Safety Program
Sgt. Paul A. Blume
Beckley Police Department
340 Prince Street
Beckley, WV 25801
Phone: (304) 256-1715
Cell: (304) 673-7001
FAX: (304) 256-1840
E-Mail: pblume@BeckleyPD.com
Additional Resources
Child Passenger Safety - Follow the link if you would like more information from the National Highway Safety Administration.
Child Safety Seat Recall List – Is your seat outdated or have a safety recall?
WV Governor’s Highway Safety Program – Follow the link to go directly to the website.