--Press Release from the Reading Police Department--

The Reading Police Department is stepping up its enforcement of traffic laws, and in particular, Operating Under the Influence, with assistance from a $1,400 grant from the  Highway Safety Division's (HSD) "Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest" campaign, a program sponsored by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The grant provides funds for additional traffic patrols to be conducted during this holiday season.

In addition to extra patrols, the Reading Police Department will be conducting a seat belt survey at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Main Street during select days this week and next.  The results of each day's survey will be posted on the "News & Updates" section of the Town Website at www.ci.reading.ma.us.

 "Wearing a seat belt reduces your chances of being killed or seriously injured by up to 50 percent. Severe crashes can occur anywhere. They occur just as frequently on local roads as they do on highways, so wearing a seat belt at all times is your best protection in the event of a crash," said Chief James W. Cormier of the Reading Police Department.  "We will be actively enforcing seat belt and OUI laws. We want everyone to have a fun, safe holiday season."

The Highway Safety Division is a specialized division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security which conducts research and training events and also provides funding and resources to enhance the efforts of police departments throughout the Commonwealth. The goal for these grant programs is to decrease impaired driving and increase safety belt use in the state, but the biggest gain will be in lives saved and injuries prevented.