Gainesville —
The 2012 national “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement
mobilization began Monday to help save lives by cracking down on those
who don’t buckle up.
A press release said the Gainesville Police Department has joined with
other state and local law enforcement officers and highway safety
advocates across the country to help save more lives by strongly
enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 61 percent of the 10,647
passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in 2010 in motor vehicle
traffic crashes overnight (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their
seat belts at the time of the fatal crash, compared to 42 percent
during the daytime hours.
“Too many drivers and passengers on the road at night are not wearing
their seat belts, and it all too often ends in tragedy,” said Sgt.
Jonathan Frith. “Our goal is to save more lives, so The Gainesville
Police Department will be out enforcing seat belt laws around the
clock.”
Seat belt use saves thousands of lives across America each year and
The Gainesville Police Department is helping spread the word. NHTSA
statistics show that in 2010 alone, seat belts saved an estimated
12,546 lives nationwide.
Yet, too many motorists may need a tough reminder. The release said
that in 2010, 22,187 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor
vehicle crashes, according to NHTSA, and 51 percent of them were not
wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes.
Younger motorists and men are particularly at risk. NHTSA data shows
that among teen and young adult passenger vehicle occupants in 2010,
ages 18 through 34, who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes,
62 percent were not buckled up at the time of the crash — the highest
percentage of any age group.
The number jumps to 66 percent when just men in this age group are included.
While this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs
from May 21 through June 3, motorists should know that officers are
out enforcing seat belt laws year-round.
“Those who choose not to wear a seat belt will feel the heat from our
officers who will be out cracking down on Click It or Ticket
violators. Motorists should buckle up every time they go out, both day
and night,” Frith said. “Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone
not buckled up.”
For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov.
Local News
Gainesville PD joins 'Click It or Ticket' campaign
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