Police Announce Return of 'Click It or Ticket'

When you head out over Memorial Day weekend, you may want to be extra sure that you've fastened your safety belt, and that your passengers are buckled in too.

On Monday,  and law enforcement agencies throughout the state launched Click It or Ticket, a national crackdown on unbuckled motorists and passengers.

 The annual initiative 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.    

“Using a seat belt is the simplest way for a driver and his or her passengers to protect themselves when traveling,” said Gary Poedubicky, acting director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

"In 2010 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 12,546 lives nationwide.”

Last year, the front seat belt usage rate in New Jersey rose for the 15th consecutive year to nearly 95 percent. Poedubicky noted that while front seat belt usage rates continue to increase throughout the state, law enforcement and safety officials want to achieve a 100 percent compliance rate.      

“To meet our goal, we must continue both enforcement and public outreach efforts that educate all motor vehicle occupants about the importance of buckling up, every ride,” he said.      

Poedubicky added that the campaign focuses on rear seat passengers as well.

The seat belt laws require adult back seat passengers to buckle up as well, but adult back seat belt use stands at only 35 percent.      

In Parsippany, local officers issued 220 motor vehicle summonses during the 2011 Click It or Ticket campaign.

PPD Chief Anthony DeZenzo hopes this year's two-week campaign will be even more successful in educating drivers and keeping citizens safe.

"Wear your seat belt all the time and avoid being a statistic in 2012," he said.