State Police Launch Annual 'Click It or Ticket' Enforcement Campaign May 18

State Police Troopers in the Hudson Valley will be joining forces with local and county law enforcement beginning next week as part of the Click It or Ticket campaign to ensure that motorists begin the summer travel season buckled-up.

The high-visibility enforcement detail will begin on May 18 and conclude on May 31, according to Major Robin H. Benziger, Commander of Troop K.

“Troopers see, first-hand, the dramatic effect that seatbelt and child seat use can have in the accidents that they investigate,” said Benziger in a statement. “The difference between a survivable crash and one with devastating consequences can be as simple as using the safety restraints available in every vehicle.”

Occupant safety is a year-round traffic safety priority for the State Police, but Troopers will be focusing special attention on education and enforcement during this initiative.

Seat belt use saves thousands of lives across America each year. NHTSA statistics show that in 2012 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 12,174 lives nationwide. In 2012, 21,667 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle crashes, and 51 percent of them were NOT wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes.

Added State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico, “Statistics show that wearing a seat belt saves lives and reduces the number of crash-related injuries. Safety restraints are not an option in New York. If a Trooper spots a driver or front seat passenger without a belt in your car, or a child improperly restrained, the Trooper will issue a ticket. The New York State Police want everyone to arrive to their destination safely.”

For more information, visit the Click It or Ticket website:http://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving+Safety/Occupant+Protection