FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Commissioner David J. Swarts of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee was joined by Tom Louizou, Regional Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Region 2 at Windsor High School in Binghamton today to launch the "Buckle Up New York Click It or Ticket" enforcement mobilization for 2010 which began on Monday, May 24, and runs through Sunday, June 6. Also participating in today's press conference, the purpose of which is to remind motorists and passengers to always wear their seat belts, were: Major Kevin G. Molinari of the New York State Police; Corinne Barnes, Advisor for the Windsor Chapter of SADD; and Sarah Freed, a Windsor High School student and member of the Windsor Chapter of SADD.

"The proper use of seat belts when traveling in a vehicle is one of the simplest yet most effective ways motorists and passengers can reduce the chances of being killed or injured in a crash," Commissioner Swarts said. "We've done a good job in New York keeping the compliance rate high, but any loss of life is unacceptable. By now, it should be second nature to everyone - when you get into a motor vehicle, the first thing you should do is put on your seat belt."

"Even with belt use higher than ever, it pays to remind everyone that the best defense against a drunk, distracted, aggressive, or drowsy driver is your seat belt and your child's car seat," said Regional NHTSA Administrator Louizou. "Our message is simple, 'Buckle up every trip, every time - Click It or Ticket - Day and Night!'"

New York State Police Acting Superintendent John P. Melville said, "The Memorial Day holiday weekend traditionally kicks off the busy summer travel season in New York. Regrettably, some motorists and passengers will lose their lives or sustain serious injuries for failing to take one simple step - buckling up. Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend last year, motor vehicle crashes in New York claimed five lives and resulted in 261 people being injured. Troopers during that period issued nearly 5,800 safety restraint citations, including over 450 for child seat violations. If you don't 'click it,' you're going to get a ticket."

"According to the Center for Disease Control, motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for teens nationwide," said Mrs. Barnes. "Of all the age groups, teens are the most likely group not to wear their seat belt when riding with others."

The event coincides with the school's "Battle of the Belts," a fast-moving competition in which two teams of four students race to see who can buckle up the fastest using two stopped vehicles. The contest was started by Mark French of Columbia County, NY, in memory of his son, Sean, who lost his life at age 17 as a passenger in a drunk driving car crash. Sean was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the car.

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of young people ages 16 to 20. In 2006, according to NHTSA, 63 percent of the 4,842 passenger vehicle occupants age 16 to 20 who were killed were not wearing seat belts.

Driver safety tips and information are available by visiting the DMV's Web site (www.dmv.ny.gov) or the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Web site (www.SafeNY.ny.gov).