STATE POLICE ISSUE FIRST WEEK REPORT ON
SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
W. Trenton - Colonel
Carson J. Dunbar, Jr., Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police
and Peter J. O'Hagan, Director of the Division of Highway Traffic
Safety, today issued a "Seatbelt Enforcement Initiative Report"
for the period July 1-9. The statistical report follows the July
2 announcement that state troopers embarked on a traffic enforcement
initiative targeting unbelted drivers and their passengers.
During the first week
of the "buckle-up" enforcement initiative, troopers across the state
issued 786 summonses for failure to use seat belts and 11 summonses
for failure to properly secure a child in an approved child restraint
seat. Additionally, the initiative resulted in 411 other traffic-related
summonses and the arrest of 62 individuals on drunk driving or other
violations of New Jersey motor vehicle or criminal statutes.
Throughout July, state troopers
across the state will conduct a high intensity enforcement campaign
targeting drivers and their passengers who are not wearing seat
belts. The program, geared to increase compliance with New Jersey's
primary seat belt law, will result in the issuance of summonses
to drivers for failure to buckle themselves and their passengers.
Troopers will specifically attempt to identify children not properly
secured in approved child restraint seats. The stepped-up enforcement
campaign will run through July and will be in effect in all State
Police patrol areas, including the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State
Parkway, Atlantic City Expressway and all interstate highways.
According to Director
O'Hagan, New Jersey's seat belt use rate increased from 63.3% to
74.2% following enactment of the primary seat belt law in May, 2000.
Drivers and front seat passengers who do not wear their seat belts
face a $24 summons.
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