Westbrook police officers are increasing enforcement of the state’s safety-belt laws as part of the Maine’s Buckle Up – No Excuses Mobilization, through June 3. Those who fail to buckle up will be issued a ticket that carries a fine of $70.
The goal of the effort is to boost seatbelt use and reduce fatalities. Safety belt use is especially important for teens and young adults, say police, citing statistics that show car crashes are the leading cause of death for people age 15 to 34 in the United States. Although most people buckle up, the majority of motor vehicle occupants killed in crashes last year were unrestrained, according to police.
“Westbrook police will be running special details concentrating on seatbelt enforcement from May 21 through June 3, in addition to our regular enforcement efforts,” said Capt. Tom Roth.
Seatbelt use saves lives and prevents injuries. Each percentage point increase in use saves about 270 additional lives across the nation. It is estimated that safety belts save the lives of more than 14,000 motorists each year and save about $50 billion in medical care, lost productivity and other injury related costs nationwide.
For the past several years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has helped states implement seatbelt enforcement programs across the country, aiding law enforcement agencies in conducting intensive, high-publicity details with increased enforcement of safety belt laws.
These efforts – coupled with paid advertising and the support of government agencies, local schools, community organizations and others – work to create dramatic increases in seatbelt use.
More than 12,000 law enforcement agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will conduct the checkpoints and other special law enforcement activities as part of the effort.
“High visibility enforcement saves lives,” said Chief of Police Paul McCarthy. “Everyone on the road, whether passenger or driver, knows they are more at risk, not just of getting a ticket, but for suffering a serious injury or death, if they don’t buckle up.”
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