LAW DOESN'T REQUIRE OFFICERS TO BUCKLE UP

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, January 7, 1992                   TAG: 9201070179
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
LAW DOESN'T REQUIRE OFFICERS TO BUCKLE UP
A Roanoke police officer killed Sunday in a patrol car crash was not required to wear a seat belt by state law, although a city policy mandates seat belt use.
Rescue workers said officer Fred Robinson was not wearing a selt belt when they arrived at the scene of the 12:30 a.m. crash on Williamson Road.
Police officers can use their own discretion in whether to use seat belts, according to state law.
"Any law enforcement officer transporting persons in custody or traveling in circumstances which render the wearing of such safety belt system impractical" are exempt from the seat-belt law.
Roanoke Police Maj. J.L. Viar said a city policy requires employees to wear seat belts in city-owned cars.
Viar also said that Robinson did not have his blue lights on. According to department policy, officers must activate their blue lights and siren when responding to an emergency, he said.
Robinson was on his way to Valley View Mall to back up another officer responding to a burglar alarm, which is not considered an emergency call.
Robinson's car struck the front driver's side of a southbound car whose driver was turning into a restaurant parking lot. Robinson's car veered off the right side of the road and plowed into the front of the American Postal Workers Union building. He died shortly after.
Viar said another police officer was traveling south on Williamson Road and witnessed the accident by looking into the rear view mirror.
That officer reported that Robinson was attempting to swerve to his right in an attempt to avoid the collision.
Viar said evidence indicates that Robinson was going faster than 35 mph. The speed limit on that section of road is 30 mph.
The other driver, Reginia Heck, 21, of Kermit Avenue Northeast, and a passenger in her car were treated at the hospital and released, Viar said.
Heck, contacted at her father's home, declined comment until the police investigation is completed.
Roanoke police are expected to forward their findings to Commonwealth's Attorney Donald Caldwell. Caldwell said the investigation should be completed within a week.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB