Office of the Attorney General: Results of 2008 “Click It or Ticket” Seat Belt Mobilization Announced
- New Statewide Seat Belt Usage Rate Set

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

August 06, 2008

Contact: Maureen Sczpanski
609-984-2529


Trenton – New Jersey’s seat belt usage rate increased for the 12th consecutive year in 2008 to a record 91.75 percent, according to Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer.

Determined through an observational survey conducted by the New Jersey Institute of Technology immediately following the State’s two week “Click It or Ticket” seat belt mobilization effort in May, the rate reflects an increase of more than a quarter percent over last year’s usage rate of 91.36 percent.

Following this year’s campaign, two counties experienced the largest increase in seat belt use from 2007 to 2008: Monmouth, up 5.2 percent to 93.35 percent, and Camden, up 4.1 percent to 91.84 percent. In addition, Middlesex County had the highest overall usage rate in 2008, at 94.53 percent.

“We’re pleased to again see an increase in the State’s seat belt usage rate,” Fischer said. “That rise of nearly a half-percent means that 34,000 more New Jerseyeans are buckling up. This 0.39 percent jump will prevent one fatality, 16 serious injuries, and $3.5 million in crash- related economic costs annually in New Jersey. While the rate is among the strongest in the nation, it’s imperative that we don’t rest on our laurels, but continue to focus on educating motorists and their passengers about the life-saving value of buckling up.”

This year, 473, or 95 percent, of the State’s police agencies participated in the “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which ran from May 19 to June 1. As a result of the initiative, 46,026 seat belt citations were issued, down from 58,170 last year. During the two-week initiative, police agencies also issued 1,007 citations for improper use of child restraints, 6,831 for speeding, 2,598 for driving with a suspended license, 449 for reckless driving, and 1,345 tickets to uninsured drivers. In addition, 642 individuals were arrested for drunk driving and 684 for drug-related charges.

Officials also called today for the passage of legislation that will close the back seat loophole in New Jersey’s current seat belt law. Currently, those over the age of 18 who are seated in the back seat of a motor vehicle do not have to buckle-up. (New Jersey’s primary seat belt law applies to the driver, all front seat passengers and passengers under 18 years of age regardless of seating position. In addition, when the driver holds a Graduated Drivers License all passengers, regardless of age and seating position, must buckle-up.) Legislation that would require belt use in all seating positions regardless of age has passed the Assembly (A-870) and is currently awaiting action by the Senate (S-18). Governor Corzine has indicated that he will sign this legislation.

According to a recent driver behavior survey conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind poll, 54 percent of motorists reported always buckling up in the rear seat, while 1 in 7 say they never do. Between 2003 and 2007, 235 unbelted back seat passengers have lost their lives on New Jersey roadways.

“By closing this loophole in the current seat belt law, we can ensure that all motor vehicle occupants are protected against potentially fatal injuries,” Fischer added. “Seat belt use, whether you’re riding in the front seat or back, is the most effective and simplest way to protect yourself in the event of a crash. Had those 235 back seat passengers worn seat belts, as many as 176 might be alive today.”

A complete listing of individual county seat belt use and town-by-town citation statistics is available on the division’s web site at, http://www.njsaferoads.com.