Marion police will be joining other Kansas law enforcement agencies Sept. 14 to 18 to more strictly enforce seatbelt laws in the area.

Law enforcement across Kansas will be extra vigilant when patrolling around schools. Officers will issue citations to anyone who doesn’t obey Kansas law.

In 2014, 28 children ages 0-17 died because of car crashes in Kansas. Half were not wearing seatbelts.

“In the health field, they talk about making sure children have received their immunizations to prevent deadly diseases,” Marion police chief Tyler Mermis said. “But what many parents don’t think about is that wearing a seat belt properly is the best prevention of serious injury or death in a vehicle.”

More about Kansas safety belt laws is available at www.ktsro.org.