On May 23, 2011, Monday, the state of New York kicks off its annual “Click It or Ticket – Buckle Up New York” campaign. This is a 14-day enforcement of the statewide seatbelt initiative, looking for motorists who ignore the State seatbelt law.

The campaign starts on May 23 and ends on June 5.

The “Click It or Ticket – Buckle Up New York” is a statewide zero-tolerance enforcement effort coordinated by the State Police and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to increase safety belt use in the state.

New York State law requires all front-seat occupants to be properly secured, regardless of age. This also accounts for rear-seat passengers under the age of 16.

Fines for front-seat passengers caught not buckled-up may face fines of up to $50 and up, while drivers failing to have children properly secured may be fined up to $100 and receive up to three points on their driver’s license.

"Babies and toddlers are the most vulnerable. They can't buckle themselves in. They must rely on adults to do it for them. It's mandatory. The operators who fail to buckle up or properly secure their occupants will be issued a ticket," Troop T Commander Major Meyers said.

New York State Police Troop T is among the first few to enforce the law when New York became the first state to enact a mandatory seat belt law. They also state that buckling up takes only a few seconds, and that drivers and passengers should take that time to make sure that they are buckled up.

Labels: click it or ticket it, seatbelt laws, seatbelt safety, seatbelts