Since last week, Brownstown Police Department has been participating in a campaign aimed at increasing seat belt usage in rural communities.

Indiana’s Rural Demonstration Project runs through April 25.

During the three-week period, 21 law enforcement agencies throughout the state will increase high-visibility seat belt patrols in 19 of Indiana’s rural counties that are currently reporting the highest percentage of unrestrained fatalities, according to a news release from Police Chief Tom Hanner.

Last year, approximately 460 Hoosiers were killed on rural roadways, which is almost 64 percent of the state’s total traffic fatalities, according to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

Hanner said officers will be looking for unrestrained motorists in all vehicles.