Troopers checking nighttime safety belt use

Press Release:

State Police Conducts Nighttime Safety Restraint Enforcement
Statewide: Campaign Will Target Unbuckled Motorists at Night

Major Christopher L. Cummings, Troop A Commander, has announced the start of New York’s latest “nighttime” safety restraint enforcement efforts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the odds of being killed in a motor vehicle crash are three times higher at night, which is when seat belt use declines substantially. In an effort to save lives, the State Police will be conducting nighttime safety restraint enforcement details.

Troopers across New York State will be staffing nighttime safety restraint checkpoints in the ongoing “Click It or Ticket” campaign. Given the increasing number of traffic crashes at night, all New Yorkers should be reminded of the need to wear their seatbelts, not only during the day but every time they travel in a vehicle.

“Buckling up all the time clearly saves lives, and if you don’t, you will be ticketed,” Major Cummings said.  “Unfortunately, too many New Yorkers still need a tough reminder, and we’re going to provide it.” 

Recent statistics indicate that roughly 10 percent of motorists in New York still fail to wear safety restraints and it is likely that number is even higher during nighttime hours.  “It’s tragic and unnecessary, but someone we know will likely die or be unnecessarily injured for failing to take one simple step – buckling up. It really is a matter of life and death.” Cummings added.

According to NHTSA, in 2005 more than 15,000 passenger vehicle occupants died in traffic crashes between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.; nearly two-thirds of those killed were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. In addition, nighttime seat belt use is often 10 percent lower than the nationwide average of 82 percent daytime seat belt use. Crashes also are the leading cause of death for every age from 3 through 33.

Major Cummings stressed that all vehicle occupants, regardless of age, should be properly restrained.  “Kids and young adults learn best by example, and parents set that example,” he said.  “Infants and toddlers are even more vulnerable, because they can’t buckle up themselves – they must rely on adults to do it for them.”  National studies have shown belted drivers are far more likely than unbelted operators to restrain their children.

Law enforcement agencies in New York State initiated the Buckle up New York Campaign in 1999. Although the state’s safety belt usage rate has hovered around 85 percent over the last three years, highway safety advocates are encouraged to report that New York has reached a historic high rate of 89 percent in 2008.