The Illinois State Police District 12 based in Effingham has announced that it will be conducting Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) in Lawrence and neighboring Richland County along with Jasper and Cumberland during the month of May. Those patrols allow the state police to focus on safety belt and child safety seat laws. Illinois law requires that all vehicle passengers both in front and back to be buckled up. Safety belts continue to be one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles, estimated to save nearly 14,000 lives each year. Studies also show that half of vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes were not properly buckled up or were not wearing seat belts at all.