Anne Milgram, Attorney General

 

Pam Fischer, Director
Division of Highway Traffic Safety

 

2008 “Click It or Ticket” Mobilization Kicks-Off in Towns throughout the State
-- Law Enforcement Checkpoints Will Reinforce Importance of Buckling-Up, Every Ride –

 

 Trenton -- Police agencies throughout New Jersey are gearing up for the 2008 “Click It or Ticket” seat belt mobilization, an annual enforcement and public education effort designed to ensure that all motorists buckle-up, every ride. 

 

Beginning May 19 and running through June 1, the national campaign includes high visibility law enforcement seat belt checkpoints and saturation patrols, as well as local and national publicity designed to ensure that drivers and passengers recognize the life-saving value of seat belts.

 

To implement the effort, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety has awarded $4,000 grants to 214 local police agencies throughout the State.  New Jersey State Police will also participate in the effort.  Many other county and municipal police departments are expected to participate in the mobilization using their own resources.  Last year, 100 percent of the State’s 496 law enforcement agencies supported the initiative.

 

 Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer noted that New Jersey’s seat belt usage rate is currently 91.4 percent, a record high for the State. 

 

 “While seat belt use has increased over the past decade, our work is still not done,” she stated.  “Law enforcement and safety officials will not rest until the State achieves a 100 percent compliance rate.  Programs such as “Click It or Ticket” can help us meet that goal of ensuring everyone buckles-up, every ride.”

 

  Last year in New Jersey, 211 of the 454 drivers and passengers killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing seat belts.  “Using a seat belt is the simplest way for a motorist and his or her passengers to protect themselves when on the road,” Fischer added.  "Motor vehicle occupants who buckle-up are between 45 and 75 percent less likely to face life threatening injuries in a car crash.”

Nationally, between 1975 and 2000, seat belts prevented 135,000 fatalities and 3.8 million injuries, saving $585 billion in medical and other costs.  Seat belt use is particularly critical for teens and young adults since motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for motorists 15 to 34 years of age.

 

  Last year during New Jersey’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign, 58,170 citations were issued to individuals who were not properly restrained.  The number of summonses was up from 2006, when 56,360 seat belt citations were issued.  Under the state’s primary seat belt law, motorists and passengers in the front seat who do not buckle up face a $46 fine.  The motorist is also responsible for ensuring that all passengers under 18 years of age are properly restrained in the appropriate car or booster seat and/or seat belt.  A bill is currently pending in the Legislature that would require all back seat passengers 18 years of age and older to buckle up, as well.  Governor Corzine has pledged to sign the measure into law.

 

  High visibility checkpoints will help to promote the first two days of the mobilization at locations in Cranford (Union County) and Fair Lawn (Bergen County) on the morning of May 19, while an afternoon checkpoint will further promote the kick-off in Atlantic City on May 20.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will also hold a special event in Times Square in New York City, on the evening of May 19, to promote the importance of nighttime seat belt use.