Anncr: “When it comes to seat belt use on our highways, we have some very, very good news, and a little bad news too, I’m afraid.

“The good news is that Washington has one of the highest rates of daytime seat belt use in the world…as represented by this little whistle. (SFX)

It’s true. (SFX)

At a whopping 96.4%, we are literally the envy of the seat belt wearing universe. (SFX) So bravo for us.

(A bit more concerned now) “Unfortunately, we don’t seem to be able to keep it up at night very well. (SFX ) And this is that little bit of bad news I was talking about.

“At night, our seat belt use rate falls by 6 to 8 percent even as the collision death rate quadruples. (Bad SFX, descending) and this is not good at all. (Bad SFX)

(Chipper) But then, at dawn, the sun comes up, more people buckle up (SFX) and once again, we are number one! (SFX)

(Earnest) “The point is, we need a lot more penny whistle at night, which is why I have this important message from your local law enforcement agency:

State Trooper: “Hello, this is sergeant Randy Baker with the Whatcom County division of the Washington State Patrol.

Beginning this month, we will be conducting nighttime seat belt emphasis patrols in your area. Wearing a seat belt is the one thing we all can do to protect ourselves from injury in a crash. Seat belts save lives- day and night- so buckle up every time you get into a car.

Remember, Click it or Ticket applies to everyone.“

Anncr: A message from local law enforcement and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.”

SFX: Slide whistle, going up...

Anncr: “Did you know that despite the fact that night time traffic levels are only about 15 percent of those during the daytime, traffic deaths at night are four times as high?

“Think about it- just 15 percent of the daytime traffic volume, yet fatality rates at night are four times higher than daytime.

So why do you suppose that our seat belt use rate actually drops during the nighttime hours?

“Yep, it does.”

Seat belt drops by an average of 6 to 8 percent at night.. And this is one trend that we need to be reverse- by buckling up.

To protect yourself from Mr. Big Rig Driver on an all nighter from points unknown, you know what to do. And to make sure that everyone gets it done, I have this important message from your local law enforcement agency...”

State Trooper: “Hello, this is sergeant Randy Baker with the Whatcom County division of the Washington State Patrol.

Beginning this month, we will be conducting nighttime seat belt emphasis patrols in your area. Wearing a seat belt is the one thing we can all do to protect ourselves from injury in a crash. Seat belts save lives- day and night- so buckle up every time you get into a car.

Remember, Click it or Ticket applies to everyone.“

Anncr: A message from local law enforcement and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.”