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MEDIA CONTACT:
Marylou Berg, Communication Manager, 240-314-8105
Rockville City Police Launch Click It or Ticket Program
Enforcement Blitz Aims to Educate and Save Lives
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 19, 2009 - Rockville City Police are joining state and local law enforcement agencies and highway safety groups in supporting an aggressive national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign from now through Sunday, May 31. Police will issue tickets to vehicle occupants who are not wearing their seat belts.
"Consistent research has shown that fewer people are buckling up at night, when the risk of being in a fatal crash is greatest," said Rockville City Police Sgt. Brian Paul. "That's why Rockville Police will be out in force at night, as well as during the day, to make sure that drivers and passengers take seat belts, and seat belt laws seriously."
In 2007, more than 14,000 people nationwide in passenger vehicles died in crashes while not wearing seat belts. About half of those lives could have been saved if they had been wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
Of the 14,464 passenger vehicle occupants who died in highway crashes during evening and nighttime hours (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.), 63 percent of those killed (8,319) were not wearing their seat belts, according to new figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. By contrast, during daylight hours, 45 percent (5,917) of those killed were not wearing seat belts.
In Maryland, 379 vehicle occupants died during 2007, and of those, 39 percent were not wearing seat belts.
Regular seat belt use is the most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. When worn correctly, seat belts have been proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent, and by 60 percent in pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans, according to Paul.
Stepped-up law enforcement will be conducted during the 2009 Click It or Ticket mobilization period from now through May 31. The mobilization is being supported by an $8 million national paid advertising campaign, which, along with additional state advertising, will encourage every driver and passenger to buckle up, especially at night.
"Seat belts clearly save lives," Paul said. "But, unfortunately, too many folks still need a tough reminder, so we are going to be out in force day and night in 2009 buckling down on those who are not buckled up."
For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov or call Sgt. Paul at 240-314-8968.
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