As Memorial Day weekend approaches and the unofficial start to summer begins, more motorists are taking to the open road. In response, law enforcement will be cracking down on drivers and passengers who are not buckled up behind the wheel.
In place since Monday, May 18th and running through Sunday, May 31st, New York State Police are taking part in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Click It or Ticket “Border to Border” seat belt enforcement campaign. This annual campaign is one of the many traffic safety initiatives sponsored by Governor Cuomo’s Traffic Safety Committee throughout the year.
As the State Police announcement mentions, state law enforcement agencies will be working together to send a zero tolerance message to the public. Police in both marked and unmarked vehicles will ticket unbelted drivers through border-to-border checkpoints and roving details to look for seat belt violations.
Major Charles E. Guess of the New York State Police cautioned, “Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt, including drivers that have neglected to properly buckle their children.”
According to the NHTSA, 9,580 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2013 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. “Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater,” said Major Guess. In 2013, 59% of unbelted fatalities occurred during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.
The different types of fines and penalties imposed for seatbelt violations are covered under New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1229. Drivers and front-seat passengers aged 16 and older can be fined up to $50 per person for failure to buckle up.
Whether you have been handed a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt, speeding, use of cellphone while driving or any other traffic violation this summer, call the Rosenblum Law at 888-883-5529 for a free consultation about your matter. We’ll fight your ticket to save you points, fines, and auto insurance increases.
