Lawrence police officers issued 16 seat belt violations Friday evening as part of an ongoing seat belt enforcement action funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation, said Lawrence police Sgt. Trent McKinley.

During the action, officers stopped a total of 18 motorists driving near 19th and Kentucky streets. During one attempted stop, a driver fled from officers and threw drugs from their vehicle. Police later caught up to the vehicle and made an arrest on charges of drug possession and fleeing and eluding police, among other charges.

The seat belt enforcement program includes funding to pay five officers overtime for four hours, once per month. The program will continue for two years, McKinley said.