CLICK IT OR TICKET

Safety Belt Enforcement and Education Campaign to be Conducted Locally as Part of Nationwide Click It or Ticket Mobilization
May 21 – June 3, 2007

     From May 21 – June 3, 2007, Ocean Township Police Officers will be stepping up enforcement and education of the state’s Primary Seat Belt Law. The enforcement and education campaign comes as part of the nationwide Click It or Ticket mobilization.
     The goal of the program is to increase the statewide safety belt usage rate to 92%. The current safety belt usage rate in New Jersey is 90%, and the rate has steadily risen during the last ten years.
     In 2006, there were 773 motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey, a large percentage of which were not wearing a safety belt. Safety belt use saves lives and prevents injuries. Between 1975 and 2000, safety belts prevented 135,000 fatalities and 3.8 million injuries nationwide, saving $585 billion in medical and other costs.
     Safety belt use is especially important for teens and young adults. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people age 14 to 34 in the United States.
     During the mobilization period from May 21 – June 3, local police agencies will conduct a zero tolerance safety belt enforcement campaign. Motorists who are not buckled up will be issued a ticket. In addition, concerted efforts are going on locally and statewide to raise awareness about the importance and life-saving benefits of safety belts.
     “High visibility enforcement saves lives,” said Pamela Fischer, Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “Our goal is to make sure that all motor vehicle occupants are properly restrained, on every trip.”
     “We are committed to the Click It of Ticket strategy,” added Tom Louizou, Regional Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Tickets are a strong deterrent and the results are meaningful: Fewer deaths on our roads.”