Seat belt, alcohol programs announced

Thursday, January 20th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Governor Keating has announced new zero-tolerance policies on drinking and driving and seat belt usage. The policies are aimed at curbing the number of injuries and deaths on Oklahoma highways. The programs are being called "Click it or Ticket" and "Booze it and Lose it."

Both will be enforced by state and local law enforcement agencies in all 77 counties. The 731 people killed on Oklahoma's highways in 1999 represent a drop of 38 from the previous year. But Keating says another 41 lives could have been saved if the state's seat belt compliance was increased from its current 61 per cent to the national average of 70 percent. Oklahoma ranks 33rd in the nation in seat belt compliance.