UB Police Join National 'Click It or Ticket' Seat Belt Initiative

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Motorists have more reasons than ever to be smart and wear seat belts when they visit University at Buffalo campuses: University Police have signed up for the nationwide "Click It or Ticket" seat belt program, paying particular attention to the law through May 6.

Targeting popular checkpoints at two locations on UB's North Campus, university police patrol officers will be on the alert for seat belt violations at these checkpoints and throughout their patrols.

"Too many drivers and passengers on the road at night are not wearing their seat belts, and it all too often ends in tragedy," said University Police Lieutenant Scott Bixby, coordinator of UB's program. "Our goal is to save more lives, so UB police will be out enforcing seat belt laws around the clock."

UB's efforts are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's campaign to encourage people to use seat belts whenever they are drivers or passengers.

NHTSA statistics show that in 2010 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 12,546 lives nationwide. Yet, too many motorists may need a tough reminder. In 2010, 22,187 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle crashes, according to NHTSA, and 51 percent of them were not wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes.

Younger motorists and men are particularly at risk. NHTSA data shows that among teen and young adult passenger vehicle occupants in 2010, ages 18 - 34, who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, 62 percent were not buckled up at the time of the crash -- the highest percentage of any age group. The number jumps to 66 percent when just men in this age group are included.

Although this year's "Click It or Ticket" enforcement mobilization ends May 6, motorists should know that officers are out enforcing seat belt laws all year.

"Those who choose not to wear a seat belt will feel the heat from our officers who will be out cracking down on "Click It or Ticket" violators," says Bixby. "Motorists should buckle up every time they go out, both day and night.

"Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone not buckled up. No warnings and no excuses."

For more on the national "Click It or Ticket" mobilization, please visit: www.nhtsa.gov.