Safety Checkpoint Puts Drivers on Alert

More than 900 drivers passed through a one-day safety checkpoint Thursday, and police ticketed 63 of them for violations ranging from unlatched seat belts to drunk driving.

The three-hour checkpoint at Harbor Boulevard and Edinger Avenue was part of a nationwide, pre-Memorial Day safety campaign.

“Overall, it’s an awareness campaign to educate the public about the importance of wearing seat belts, so when there are accidents we can cut down on the number of injuries occurring to people, particularly young children,” Fountain Valley Police Sgt. Jim Perry said.

Nationwide, about 1,400 children under the age of 15 die every year in traffic accidents, according to police. More than 60% of those were not using safety restraints.

Of the 900 drivers, 80 were stopped. Fifty were cited for improper child restraints and other violations and 12 for driving without a valid driver’s license; their cars were towed. One person was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.