Police Cracking Down On Seat Belt Use In New London

NEW LONDON, CT - With the Memorial Day weekend quickly approaching, New London police are cracking down on seat belt use. The department's efforts are part of a statewide initiative to promote safe driving and increase the safety and protection of all motorists on Connecticut highways.

Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, according to a release. Despite this, nearly one out of five Americans fail to wear a seat belt when driving or riding in a vehicle, police said. (To sign up for New London breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Beginning Monday, May 22, the New London Police Department will be taking part in an aggressive national "Click It or Ticket" seat belt enforcement campaign. Officers will be stepping up enforcement from May 22 through June 4.

Officers will be ticketing drivers and passengers not wearing a seat belt around the clock, both night and day.

“Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not bucking up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater,” Acting Chief of Police Peter Reichard said in a release. “We want everyone to have a safe summer, but it requires an important step on the part of motorists – clicking that seat belt.”

For more on the national Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.

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