DURANT, OK -- Several law enforcement agencies are joining together to make driving Oklahoma roads safer. It's a safety coalition that officers say is already paying off. You've heard the phrase, “two heads are better than one.” Well how about ten? Or twelve? That's the idea behind the Southeast Oklahoma safety coalition: multiple agencies united for one purpose.

"Collectively we all speak volumes in an effort, whatever it may be," says Don Hyde, Calera chief of police.

These law enforcement officials are hoping to amplify their message by joining together as a southeast Oklahoma safety coalition.

"Multiple agencies can get together to rely on each other as resources to help with the traffic we have to prevent the injuries and deaths in Oklahoma," says Lt. David Houser, with the Durant police department.

Tulsa and Oklahoma City have had similar coalitions for years, but just recently formed one in this region. State officials say outside of large metropolitan areas, eastern and southeastern Oklahoma actually have an alarming number of serious and fatal car crashes. It’s a problem they hope to alleviate by working together.

"Unfortunately with the kind of distances between communities here it's difficult to patrol the roads it's difficult to have some continuity for those programs," says Garry Thomas, with the Oklahoma State Highway Office.

So far it seems to be effective. In May, the coalition joined other agencies in the ‘Click It or Ticket’ checkpoints, giving out fines to anyone not wearing a seat belt. Even with thousands of seat belt citations statewide, the checkpoints also made hundreds of DWI, felony, and drug arrests. There were thousands of citations for uninsured motorists and speeding.

"Traffic safety pays dividends. A lot of people say why aren't you fighting crime, well after 30 years in law enforcement you fight crime by fighting traffic. You find a lot of bad guys in cars," Thomas says.

The coalition discusses different traffic issues and ways to bring awareness to safe travel on roadways. Their next campaign is scheduled for August; an ‘Over the Limit Under Arrest’ emphasis. Multiple agencies participate in drinking and driving checkpoints.