(Trenton)
- An independent pre-Click It or Ticket
campaign survey shows that New Jersey
is positioned to increase its seat belt
use rate, which currently stands at 82%.
The pre-mobilization survey was conducted
by the New Jersey Institute of Technology
in 13 counties representing urban, suburban
and rural populations. The survey is required
by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
in advance of the two-week Click
It or Ticket mobilization campaign
that will begin later this month. This
year the Division substantially increased
the number of counties used for the pre-mobilization
survey, to gain a better overview and
representation of the data.
Using the NHTSA-approved weighted average
formula, the pre-mobilization figure was
78% usage rate. That compares to 75% in
2004. Following the Click It or Ticket
mobilization campaign which involves every
county in the state, the percentage of
seat belt use has historically trended
upward 6-to-8 points from the pre-mobilization
surveys.
The counties involved in the pre-mobilization
survey were, Bergen, Burlington, Camden,
Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth,
Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, and
Union. NJIT pre-mobilization figures show
Somerset County with the highest usage
rate of 87%, while Hudson County had the
lowest at 69%.
“Even
though New Jersey’s enviable seat
belt usage rate will likely increase over
last year, the numbers show that usage
in urban areas is lower”, said Roberto
Rodriguez, Director of the Division of
Highway Traffic Safety. “We recognize
this and will be placing even more focus
on these urban areas in our effort to
save lives and reduce injuries.”
Director Rodriguez said more funding is
needed to keep the seat belt usage rate
high, and to allow police agencies to
continue their vigilance with a year-round
mobilization effort.
Each 1% increase in the national seat
belt use rate saves 270 lives and the
resulting 800 million dollars in economic
costs. The pending ‘Click It or
Ticket’ campaign will be taking
direct aim at unbelted drivers and their
passengers by police agencies throughout
New Jersey to keep the seat belt usage
rate growing even higher.