Police throughout New York State plan to aggressively ticket motorists through the end of the month who are caught without wearing a seat belt or driving others who are not buckled up, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office announced Friday.
The initiative, part of the nationwide “Click It or Ticket” campaign, began May 18 and will last through May 31 as a means of promoting traffic safety throughout the state, the office said.
New York currently has a 91 percent seat belt usage rate, the office said, which is 4 percent higher than the national average. The state has had at least a 90 percent seat belt usage rate since 2010.
In a statement, Cuomo said the campaign is meant “to prevent avoidable tragedies,” as 32 percent of front seat occupants killed in car accidents in New York from 2011-13 were unbuckled.
According to the governor’s office, police at the local, county and state level will operate patrols on highways and various checkpoints throughout New York, seeking unbuckled motorists and passengers.
Neighboring states — including Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont — are also participating in the initiative.
“Safety restraints are not an option in New York,” said state police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico in a statement. “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.”
Motorists may be fined up to $50 for each person riding in a front seat, and between $25 to $100 per person for occupants under 16 years old, according to state law. Depending on the violation, motorists may also receive penalty points on their license for violations.
