Cape police promote seat belt use with free mug

To promote seat belt use and safe driving during the Memorial Day weekend and the summer months ahead, the Cape Girardeau Police Department will hold a safety checkpoint today from 1 to 3 p.m. at the First Missouri State Bank at Mount Auburn and Independence streets.

Drivers who are belted properly will be congratulated on their good habits by receiving a free "Buckle Up America" travel mug donated by the Cape Girardeau Safe Communities program. Those not buckled up will receive educational material on seat belt use and the Missouri seat belt law.

The checkpoint is being held as an effort to promote the Missouri "Click It or Ticket" campaign. Nationwide, more than 40,000 people die and millions more are seriously injured in violent crashes each year. The current seat belt usage rate in Cape Girardeau is 69 percent, according to police Sgt. Jack Wimp.