By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
The Kentucky State Police are joining law enforcement agencies from nearby states for a coordinated seat belt usage campaign as part of the 6-State Trooper Project.
From now until May 25, this regional initiative unites Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia in a shared mission to reduce roadway fatalities by increasing seat belt use.
During the week-long effort, troopers will increase patrols on interstates, state highways and rural roads, focusing on drivers and passengers who are not properly restrained. The initiative is designed to enhance visibility and remind motorists that seat belt laws are actively enforced across state lines.
Captain Scott Felder, the Commander of KSP Post 7 in Richmond, said programs like the 6-State Trooper Project play a critical role in shaping safer driving behaviors.
“Buckling up is one of the simplest decisions you’ll make every time you get behind the wheel, but it’s also one of the most important,” Felder stated. “It only takes a second, but that second can be the difference between walking away from a crash or not. Too often, we see lives changed in an instant because a seat belt wasn’t used. When law enforcement works together across state lines, it sends a clear message that safety doesn’t stop at the state line and neither does our commitment to it. Our goal is to prevent tragedies before they happen and make buckling up automatic every time”.
The 6-State Trooper Project continues to demonstrate the impact of collaborative enforcement. In 2025, participating agencies conducted a similarly targeted effort, resulting in 6,863 seat belt violations. KSP troopers issued 807 of these seat belt citations and 43 child safety seat violations. By combining resources and coordinating strategies, the participating states can expand their occupant protection throughout the region.
KSP encourages all motorists to make seat belt use a habit on every trip, regardless of distance or destination. Properly worn seat belts significantly reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a crash. To report unsafe driving behavior, contact your nearest Kentucky State Police post. A complete list of post locations is available on the KSP website.