Seat Belts are the single most effective traffic safety device for
preventing death and injury and saved more than 75,000 lives from 2004 to 2008.[1]

Seat belt use has been steadily increasing since 1983 yet remains below 86%. [2]

Seat Belt Camera Technologies (SBCT) gives law enforcement agencies
the means to raise seat belt compliance rates.  Much in the same way a
speed camera and a stop light camera fine violators, a seat belt
camera is law enforcement's 24 hour sentry to protect our citizenry.

How it works:  Using proprietary photographic analysis technologies similar to facial recognition software,
the SBCT seat belt camera analyses lines of demarcation between the expected seat belt strap and the
surrounding areas across the driver's shoulder, chest, and the area just above the driver's shoulder where the
strap exits the take-up reel.  If definite lines of demarcation are identified a photograph is not taken.
If, however, lines of demarcation are not identified,  photographs are taken of the offending individual
along with a photograph of the license plate.  This evidence is transmitted to the locally authorized
enforcement agency.

Photograph Inspection:  As with speed camera and stop light camera evidence, seat belt camera
evidence is analyzed by a specially trained law enforcement official.   If the driver is deemed to be in
violation of local seat belt ordinances, a ticket is issued and mailed to the lawful owner of the vehicle. 

Not a primary offense:  The first problem law enforcement agencies must overcome is the fact that seat belt ordinances might not be treated as primary offenses.  In other words, law enforcement officials may not pull
a vehicle over specifically for an observed seat belt violation.  As with red light cameras, cities may enact
ordinances stating seat belt violations as "non-moving" civil violations.  As parking tickets target the lawful
owner of the vehicle, so do non-moving seat belt civil violations.

Preexisting Infrastructure:  Across the United States, thousands of communities have enacted speed
camera and red light camera legislation and erected camera observation posts at dangerous intersections
and roadways where chronic speeding takes lives and endangers motorists.  The Seat Belt Camera from
SBCT mounts on the same post and works in conjunction with the preexisting infrastructure.  If a camera
exists at this location to capture license plate information, only one additional camera is needed to analyze
and photograph the seat belt areas described above.

Technological Problems and Solutions:
Glare from windshield - The SBCT Seat Belt Camera uses a double polarized lens to see through
windshields in all weather conditions. 

After Dark - Hi-beam ultra pulse night vision allows full functionality, dusk through dawn.

Lines of Demarcation Not Identified - The SBCT Seat Belt Camera uses specially developed algorithms
to analyze multiple areas of expected seat belt positioning for all standard 3-point seat belt harnesses
giving a very high rate of accuracy.

Speed of Seat Belt Camera Functionality - Once properly calibrated, the SBCT Seat Belt Camera
acknowledges a vehicle's presence, uses facial recognition technology to identify expected positioning
of the driver's seat belt, and analyzes multiple lines of demarcation all within 4,000th of a second.  A vehicle
travels only a distance of .264 inches during this time giving the SBCT Seat Belt Camera time to take
photographs of the seat belt areas and the vehicle's license tag for vehicle identification.

Profitability:  It is expected that 19% of all vehicles on the road have a driver in violation of seat belt laws. 
In many cases civil ordinances allow law enforcement agencies to fine violators $50 per violation.  For a
10,000 car per day intersection with a SBCT Seat Belt Camera, collected fines could amount to $95,000
per day.  For installation and administration of the system, SBCT collects a small royalty percentage leaving
the majority of collected revenue with the local law enforcement agency.

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