Media Advisory: Celebration of the Nation's First Seat Belt Law

ALBANY, NY (05/14/2009)(readMedia)--

WHAT: Celebration of the Nation's First Seat Belt Law - Signed in New York State 25 Years Ago This Summer

WHEN: Thursday, May 14, 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: State Capitol

Capitol Park West

Albany, New York

WHY: This event will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the primary seat belt law. New York was the first state in the nation to enact such a law. This event will also mark the beginning of the national 2009 "Click It or Ticket" enforcement mobilization period that runs from May 18 through May 31.

WHO: David J. Swarts, Commissioner, NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Chair, Governor's Traffic Safety Committee

Colonel Stephen Maher, New York State Police

Brian McLaughlin, Senior Associate Administrator for Traffic InjuryControl, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

David Parker, retired New York State Trooper (wrote first seat belt ticket in the nation)

Peter Kehoe, Executive Director, New York State Sheriffs' Association

Chief Joseph Waldron, 3rd Vice President, New York State Association of Chiefs of Police

NOTES: In the Fall of 1985, the seat belt usage rate in New York State was only 46 percent. In 2007, there were approximately 1,300 statewide fatalities, a sharp decline of nearly 35 percent from the almost 2,000 fatalities reported in 1986. Last year, the rate of seat belt usage had nearly doubled and was recorded at its highest ever, 89 percent.

Visuals at the park will include various law enforcement vehicles, crash test dummies, a seat belt convincer that simulates a low impact 5-10 mph vehicle collision thus stressing the importance of wearing a seat belt, and specially decorated anniversary cakes.

CONTACT: DMV Communications: 518-473-7000

THE MEDIA IS WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND