U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces Start of Law Enforcement Mobilization for Highway Safety |
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Topics: Norman Y. Mineta
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
November 25, 2002
NHTSA 72-02
Monday, November 25, 2002
Contact: Tim Hurd
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today kicked off the national "Click It Or Ticket"/Operation ABC (America Always Buckles Up Children) Seat Belt Law Enforcement Mobilization, which continues from Nov. 25 through Dec. 1. The campaign to enforce seat belt laws this year will be joined by the U.S. armed forces as they stress the importance of buckling up on and off base.
During the weeklong campaign that includes the Thanksgiving holiday, more than 12,000 law enforcement agencies willmonitor traffic. Officers coast-to-coast will issue tickets as they blanket the nation's roads with checkpoints and increased, high-visibility enforcement of seat belt and child restraint laws.
"Seat belts and child restraints are the best defense against traffic fatalities and injuries, but they must be used on every trip, every time," said Secretary Mineta. "We must convince everyone to use their seat belts - we are committed to reaching a national goal of 78 percent seat belt use by 2003."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), during the four-day Thanksgiving holiday period, 585 people died in traffic crashes in 2001.
"Failing to buckle up will cost you a hefty fine, but more important, it could cost you your life. We must do everything we can to prevent these senseless tragedies on the road ," said Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D., NHTSA administrator. "I commend the thousands of law enforcement officers who will be out in full force this weekend saving lives by making sure Americans buckle up."
According to the most recent NHTSA survey, seat belt use reached 75 percent this year, its highest level since national surveys began in 1994. States with primary seat belt laws passed another milestone -- 80 percent belt use -- while states with secondary laws averaged 69 percent.
In states with a primary seat belt law, motor vehicle occupants can be stopped and cited by law enforcement officials for failing to wear belts whether or not another violation has occurred. In states with secondary enforcement, the vehicle must be stopped for another offense before the occupant can be cited for failing to wear a belt.
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