STATE POLICE UPDATE STATISTICS
FOR 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 released the second round of statistics reporting
on the State Police "Seatbelt Enforcement Initiative" for the period
July 10-14. The statistical report follows Col. Dunbar's July 1
announcement that state troopers are conducting a traffic enforcement
initiative targeting unbelted drivers and their passengers.
During the second report
period for the statewide "buckle-up" enforcement initiative, state
troopers issued 513 summonses for failure to use seat belts and
seven summonses for failure to properly secure a child in an approved
child restraint seat. Additionally, the initiative resulted in 275
other traffic-related summonses and the arrest of five individuals
on drunk driving or other violations of New Jersey motor vehicle
or criminal statutes.
Since July 1, the overall
seat belt enforcement program has resulted in the issuance of 1,299
summonses for failure to use seat belts, 18 summonses for failure
to properly secure a child in an approved child restraint seat,
686 summonses for traffic-related violations and the arrest of 70
individuals on drunk driving and/or criminal charges.
Throughout July, state
troopers across the state will be conducting 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, the interstate highway system
and state highways.
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 seat belts face a $42 summons.
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