3 Police Agencies Conducted Occupant Safety Checkpoint

LEWISBORO, NY — The New York State Police, Lewisboro Police Department and Ridgefield (Connecticut) Police Department conducted an occupant safety checkpoint on State Route 35 in the town of Lewisboro near the New York and Connecticut State line May 20. The Ridgefield Police Department coordinated in their respective jurisdiction with New York State Law Enforcement members.

The operation was conducted in furtherance of the mission to ensure highway safety for all users of the roadway.

A total of 16 tickets were issued during this targeted enforcement period, five of which were for seatbelt/passenger restraint related violations.

Additionally, one arrest was made for driving while intoxicated.

Highlights of New York State's occupant restraint law:

• In the front seat, the driver and each passenger must wear a seat belt, one person per belt. The driver and front-seat passengers aged 16 or older can be fined up to $50 each for failure to buckle up.
• Every occupant, regardless of age or seating position, must use a safety restrain when riding with driver who has a junior license or learner permit.
• Each passenger under age 16 must wear a seat belt or use an appropriate child safety restraint system. The restraint system must comply with the child height and weight recommendations determined by the manufacturer. Depending on the size of the child, the restraint system may be a safety seat or a booster seat used in combination with a lap and shoulder belt.
• The driver must make sure that each passenger under age 16 obeys the law. The driver can be fined $25 to $100 and receive up to three driver license penalty points for each violation.

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