Law Enforcement Recognized for Excellence in Seat Belt and Child Restraint Enforcement

Ceremony salutes efforts to save lives on Kentucky roadways.

(Frankfort, Ky.) – On Wednesday, state officials recognized more than 100 state and local law enforcement officers, along with child safety personnel, for their outstanding efforts to safeguard drivers and passengers on Kentucky highways.

The annual Governor’s Occupant Protection Enforcement Awards were held at the Campbell House in Lexington.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) presented the awards to those with the most occupant protection citations in each agency and in each division from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. Award recipients received a plaque, while the top division winners were presented with the Highway Safety All-Star Award – a commemorative baseball bat from Louisville Slugger.

Local award recipients include:

• Officer Thomas Britton, Kenton County Police
• Patrol Officer Matthew Semler, Erlanger Police
• Patrol Officer Anthony Pinkston, Florence Police
• Deputy Teddy Melton, Boone County Sheriff’s Office
• Trooper Chris Johnson, Kentucky State Police – Post 6

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts, when worn correctly, are proven to reduce the risk of fatal injuries to front-seat occupants by 45 percent and by 60 percent in pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans. Also, according to NHTSA, properly installed child restraints reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars. In light trucks, SUVs and minivans, properly deployed child restraints reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 58 percent for infants and 59 percent for toddlers.

Each year more than half of those killed on Kentucky’s roadways are not properly restrained in a seat belt, car seat or booster seat. Kentucky’s current seat belt usage rate is 86.9 percent.