Community Corner

Click It or Ticket: Aberdeen Police Cracking Down on Seat Belt Use

Aberdeen Police will conduct a zero-tolerance safety belt enforcement campaign

Law enforcement officers from the will be cracking down on unbuckled motorists and their passengers as part of the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign. 

Beginning May 21 and running through June 3, 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.” 

Find out what's happening in Matawan-Aberdeenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During the mobilization period from May 21 to June 3, 2012, Aberdeen Police will conduct a zero-tolerance safety belt enforcement campaign funded by a grant of $4,000.00 received through the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. Motorists who are not buckled up will be issued a ticket.  In addition, concerted efforts are going on locally and statewide to raise awareness about the importance and life-saving benefits of safety belts.

Last year, the front seat belt usage rate in New Jersey rose for the 15th consecutive year to 94.51%.  Poedubicky noted that while front seat belt usage rates continue to increase in New Jersey, law enforcement and safety officials want to ultimately see a 100 percent compliance rate.

Find out what's happening in Matawan-Aberdeenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“New Jersey has a strong front seat belt usage rate, but there is still work to do,” he said.  “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.”

Poedubicky added that the campaign will focus on rear seat passengers as well.  Despite laws requiring adult back seat passengers to buckle up, adult back seat belt use stands at only 35 percent.

During the 2011 “Click it or Ticket” campaign, 419 police agencies participated in the two-week initiative.  As a result of the effort, law enforcement officers issued 32,228 seat belt citations, 5,865 speeding summonses and made 953 drunk driving arrests. 

In Aberdeen, patrol officers will step up the enforcement of occupant protection statutes, with particular emphasis on young drivers and passengers.  Additional patrols funded by the grant will be deployed on an overtime basis. The program will be coordinated by Lt. Alan Geyer.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here