Agencies Remind Drivers, Passenger to Buckle Up

ALBANY, NY (05/14/2008)(readMedia)-- Commissioner David J. Swarts of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee along with Chief of Staff David Kelly of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and New York State Police Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt today reminded motor vehicle drivers and passengers to wear their seat belts. Also, announced today at a press conference at the State Capitol was the upcoming “Buckle Up New York – Click It or Ticket” Enforcement Mobilization from May 19 – June 1, 2008.

“Wearing a seat belt is a simple thing motorists can do to help protect themselves in the event of a crash. Law enforcement, community leaders and traffic safety advocates across the state have worked hard to increase safety belt compliance and we should all be proud of their success. But more can be done,” said Commissioner Swarts. “Every life counts, that’s why it is imperative that we continue to raise the safety belt compliance rate. The statistics prove that as seat belt usage increases, more lives are saved.”

“Wearing your seatbelt costs you nothing,” said Chief of Staff David Kelly of NHTSA. “But the cost for not wearing one certainly will. So, don’t risk it with a ticket or worse, a life. Please remember to buckle up day and night – Click It or Ticket.”

“With all the reminders and all we know about the inherent dangers of not buckling up, it is unconscionable that anyone today would drive down the road without wearing a safety belt. We in law enforcement have no patience for such carelessness, and during this Buckle Up New York law enforcement mobilization, Troopers, Deputies and Police Officers across this state will take a zero-tolerance approach to these violations,” said State Police Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt. “All motorists should be forewarned, whether city or suburb, dirt road or highway, day or night, it's click it, or ticket. It's a habit that can save your life,” he added.

Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death in the nation and the number one cause of death for people between the ages of 2 and 34. Yet, nationwide, 18 percent of all drivers and passengers – approximately one in five – do not regularly wear seat belts.

The statistics are clear – not buckling up increases the risk of being seriously injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash. In 2006, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 42,642 people died on our nation’s highways. Among those killed, nearly 16,000 – around 37 percent – were not buckled up.

Increasing seat belt and child safety seat use is the most effective way to reduce crash-related injuries and fatalities. The “Buckle Up New York – Click It or Ticket” enforcement period is a statewide, zero-tolerance enforcement effort coordinated by the State Police and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to increase safety restraint use in New York State.

Driver safety tips and information are available by visiting the DMV’s web site (www.nysdmv.com) or the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee web site (www.safeny.com).

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