Now through Sept. 23, 2023, the Arkansas City Police Department will join other Kansas law enforcement agencies to stop what has been likened to an epidemic in Kansas. In 2019, eight children ages 0-13 died from car crashes in Kansas. Sadly, 62% of those children were not wearing their seat belts. According to the 2019 Kansas observational seatbelt survey, children are much more likely to buckle up if the driver wears their seatbelt. About 97% of the children are restrained if the driver is buckled. Only about 30% of the children observed were buckled if the driver was not. From now until Sept. 23, 2023, law enforcement across Kansas will be extra vigilant when patrolling around schools. For over 20 years, officers have educated and warned drivers and passengers about the importance of using seatbelts in their vehicles.