MORRIS TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT

49 Woodland Avenue, Convent Station, NJ 07961 Phone (973) 539-0777 Fax (973) 326-7485

NEWS RELEASE

Date: May 16, 2012 Prepared by: Capt. Rich Ferrone Contact Number: 973-326-7482

Morris Township Police Participating in Annual Click it or Ticket Campaign

Through a federally funded grant, Morris Township Police Officers will be joining police officers from around the nation in this years crack down on unbuckled motorists. The national campaign known as Click it or Ticket focuses on motorists and their passengers who refuse to wear their seat belts. Beginning May 21 and running through June 3, motorist should expect high visibility seat belt check points and saturation patrols, as well as local and national publicity designed to ensure that drivers and passengers recognize the life saving value of a seat belt. As a result of strong enforcement and public outreach, New Jerseys front seat belt use has risen for the 15th consecutive year to 94.5%. While the front seat usage rates continue to climb, the ultimate goal of 100% has not been reached yet. Seat belts save the lives of thousands of Americans each year. Yet, too many motorists still need a tough reminder. According to NHTSA, in 2010, 22,187 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide. 51% of them were NOT wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Even more alarming is that 61% of the 10,647 killed in car crashes between 6pm and 6am were unrestrained. Wearing a seat belt is the

single most effective way to survive a motor vehicle crash.

During the 2011 Click it or Ticket campaign, 419 police agencies across the state participated in the two-week initiative. As a result of the effort, law enforcement officers issued 32,228 seat belt violations, 5,865 speeding summonses and made 953 drunk driving arrests. Motorists who choose not to wear a seat belt be forewarned that officers will be cracking down on Click it or Ticket violators. Morris Township Police are prepared to ticket anyone not buckled upno warnings and no excuses. The message is simple, buckle up every time you go out, both day and night.