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• Injury Prevention Resource Center (IPRC)
• Low Income Programs
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• Occupant Protection Education Program (OPEP)
• Buckle Up New Mexico

Occupant Protection Education

Safer's Seat Belt and Child Restraint School

What is the Occupant Protection Education Program?

Safer's Occupant Protection Education Program is a two-hour course available through the courts in several New Mexico municipalities to people who receive seat belt or child restraint citations. It is an alternative to paying the fine for the citation. After completing the course, neither the points nor the citation will be reflected on the violator's driving record. The course is designed to increase knowledge, change beliefs, and affect the attitudes of participants. The course consists of activities, video footage, lecture, and discussion. Participants will leave the class with the understanding that getting a ticket isn't the worst thing that could happen if they don't wear a seat belt or properly use a child restraint.

Why is this program important?

• New Mexico has one of the highest motor vehicle fatality rates in the nation. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and disability for New Mexicans between the ages of 1 and 45.
• New Mexico has one of the nation's highest seat belt usage rates (89.7%). The people who get seat belt and child restraint citations represent the 10.3% of the population that is resistant to changing their behavior even after extensive media campaigns, increased enforcement efforts, and tougher laws. Clearly something more is needed to make the point.
• Over half of children killed in car crashes are riding unrestrained.
• Studies indicate that at least four out of five child safety seats are used incorrectly.
• New child safety seats are made available at drastically reduced costs through the program.

How does the program work?

In court, if the violator pleads guilty, he or she may request or be offered the opportunity to attend the Occupant Protection Education Program instead of paying the fine. The violator commits to go to a class within 30 days and chooses one from a schedule of available classes. The court notifies Safer that the violator has chosen to go to a particular class by entering them on a roster. At the class, the instructor collects a course fee and has the violators sign an attendance sheet. After the class, Safer notifies the court as to which violators have successfully completed the class.