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Click It or Ticket Campaign Underway

Posted by Carmine R. Villani | May 26, 2016 | 0 Comments

Click it or ticket Day & Night

The annual Click It or Ticket campaign began nationwide on May 23rd and continues through June 5th. Many New Jersey towns have received grants of $5,000 from the state's Division of Highway Safety, so they can put additional officers on the road looking for seatbelt violations. However, towns that did not receive grant money will also be looking for seat belt offenders. Spring Lake Heights, Neptune and the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office all received the grant.

These campaigns have increased seat belt usage nationwide. In New Jersey 91.36% of drivers use seat belts. That is an increase from 2014 when 87.59% of drivers wore seat belts. The highest rate of seat belt usage in New Jersey was 94.51% in 2011.

All Passengers Must be Buckled Up (N.J.S.A. 39:3-76.2f)

In New Jersey all vehicle passengers aged at least 8 years old and 57 inches tall, in the front and rear seats, must wear a seat belt. Children under the age of 8 and those less than 57 inches tall must sit in the rear seat of a vehicle and be secured with a seat belt. In New Jersey the Child Passenger Restraint Law (39:3-76.2a) breaks it down further by age.

  • Under 2 years of age and 30 pounds – secured in a rear-facing seat with a 5-point harness
  • Under 4 years of age and 40 pounds – secured in a rear-facing seat with a 5-point harness until they reach the limits of the seat. Then forward facing with a 5-point harness.
  • Under 8 years of age and a height of 57 inches shall be secured as described above until they reach the upper limits of the seats and then must be in a belt positioning booster seat.
  • A child over 8 years of age or 57 inches in height must be properly secured by a seat belt.

150 Reasons to Wear a Seat Belt

According to New Jersey's Division of Highway Safety, “in New Jersey an average of 150 unrestrained motor vehicle drivers and passengers are killed in crashes each year.” Over 1,800 drivers and front seat passengers in New Jersey not wearing seat belts have died over the past 10 years. Nationwide, seat belts saved over 12,500 lives in 2013. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the use of child safety seats reduces fatal infant deaths by 71% and the deaths of toddlers by 54%.

Buckle Up and Stay Safe This Memorial Day

Typically there are more travelers on the road on holiday weekends. Please remember to make sure you and all of your passengers are securely fastened with seatbelts while on the road this Memorial Day. If you receive a traffic violation, contact Villani and Deluca today at 732-965-3999 for a free consultation. Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day!

About the Author

Carmine R. Villani

Founding partner, Carmine Villani, Esq. is a former municipal prosecutor with over three decades of experience in Criminal and DWI Defense.

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