Upton, MA – Seat belts are the most effective safety feature ever invented and have helped save thousands of lives. The Upton Police Department, in partnership with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s (EOPSS) Highway Safety Division (HSD) and over 95 state-wide local police departments will be cracking down on motorists who are not buckling up during the October Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement campaign.
The Halloween crackdown runs October 18 through November 1 and local law enforcement officers will be enforcing the seat belt law around the clock – day and night. They are prepared to ticket anyone not wearing a seat belt. In fact, everyone in the car found not wearing a seat belt will be ticketed.
In Massachusetts, preliminary crash data from October 2011 shows there were 37 fatalities and over 275 people with incapacitating injuries who were not wearing a seat belt.
Around and during the Halloween holiday when people will be transporting trick-or-treaters to and from party areas, it is especially important that everyone arrives safely and buckled up.
“You will see us out in force during the October /Halloween campaign. We will be showing zero tolerance for anyone who is not wearing a seat belt. Our simple goal is to save more lives,” said Chief Bradley.
Unfortunately, too many motorists still need a tough reminder that this quick, life saving measure protects them and their loved ones. If necessary, we’ll remind them that they’re breaking the law by not wearing their seat belt which has serious consequences.”
“Injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes cost taxpayers and businesses hundreds of millions of dollars every year,” said Chief Bradley. “We can help reduce those costs by making sure people buckle up, every trip, every time.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts saved almost 12,000 lives nationwide in 2011. In fact, research shows that with proper seat belt use, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.
Seat belts save lives. Around the clock, remember to Buckle Up, Every Trip, Every Time.
For more information, please visit www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.
UPTON DAILY 