Click It or Ticket It on the Boulevard

The New Milford Police Department participated in the statewide Click It or Ticket campaign on Friday, May 27 by running a checkpoint on the Boulevard.

The campaign kicked off on Memorial Day weekend and will run through June 5 across the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA].

"Seat belts are a lifesaver, but too many people are failing to buckle their seat belts at night, and it’s costing lives," said US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

According to a NHTSA press release, in 2009 seat belts saved 12,713 lives but if all passenger vehicle occupants involved in crashes had worn seat belts, an additional 3,688 lives could have been saved.

New Milford was one of approximately 10,000 law enforcement agencies from across the country expected to participate in this year's program.

NMPD Sgt. Robert Jones was the officer in charge of the borough's campaign. Officers Darrell Marshall, Daniel LaMorges and Brian Clancy assisted at the checkpoint, according to the NMPD.

NMPD Chief Frank Papapietro said 24 summonses were issued at the checkpoint. 

"Twenty one were for seat belt violations, one was for failure to inspect, one was issued for an overweight vehicle and one was issued for failure to exhibit a valid insurance card," Papapietro said.

Papapietro said safety literature was distributed to all drivers passing through the checkpoint on Friday.