Galloway Police to Participate in National Click It or Ticket Campaign

The Galloway Police Department will participate in the national “Click It or Ticket” seatbelt enforcement and education campaign May 18-31.

The annual campaign focuses on unbuckled motorist and their passengers and incorporates zero-tolerance enforcement of safety belt laws.

The campaign is funded by a $4,000 grant awarded from the New Jersey Department of Highway Traffic Safety.

“Using a seat belt is the simplest way for a driver and his or her passengers to protect themselves when traveling,” Gary Poedubicky, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, said. “In 2012 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 12,000 lives nationwide.”

The goal for this year’s campaign is to increase front seat belt usage from 87.59 percent to 90 percent. This year’s campaign will also focus on on rear seat passengers, as well as nighttime enforcement.

During evening hours seat belt usage is traditionally lower and the percentage of unbelted fatalities is higher, according to Poedubicky.

“To meet our goal, we must rededicate our enforcement and public outreach efforts that educate all motor vehicle occupants about the importance of buckling up, every ride,” Poedubicky said.

During last year’s campaign, 374 police agencies participated in the two-week initiative.

As a result of the effort, law enforcement officers issued 26,635 seat belt citations, 4,363 speeding summonses and made 944 drunk driving arrests, according to Poedubicky.