RAY BROOK — With more drivers expected to hit the road Memorial Day weekend, police will be out in full force as part of the state's ongoing Click it or Ticket campaign.
"There are still too many people dying or being seriously injured as a result of not buckling up," State Police Troop B Commander Maj. Richard Smith said in a news release announcing the upcoming enforcement campaign.
"For this reason, during the holiday time frame and throughout the year, we remain diligent in our efforts to impress upon all citizens that seat-belt use is a must when riding in a motor vehicle."
The state's seat-belt compliance rate is at 89 percent, which is 6 percent above the national average.
Statistically, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 102 people die each day in car crashes.
And, Smith said, "death and injuries don't have to occur and tragedy can be prevented with one simple precaution — buckling up."
More than half of passenger-vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes in 2008 were unrestrained.
Smith said all vehicle occupants, regardless of age, should be properly restrained.
Every day last year in the United States, an average of 4 children were killed and 529 injured in car accidents.
"It is the responsibility of caregivers to protect our youngest citizens, who are dependent on others to secure them properly," Smith said.
Data shows child-safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers.
Locally, State Police investigated 11 fatal crashes in 2009 where seat belts were not worn.
"That's over one-third of all of the fatal crashes Troop B investigated," Smith said. "Why wouldn't you give yourself a chance to live by simply buckling your seat belt?"
The Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 13,250 lives, including 244 children under age 5, were saved in 2008 by the use of proper safety restraints.
During the 2009 Memorial Day Buckle Up New York initiative, State Police investigated 15 fatal crashes in New York. Officers said eight of those killed may be alive today if they had been wearing seat belts, police said.
The stepped-up enforcement will begin Monday and run through June 6.
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