Peabody police step up seatbelt enforcement

PEABODY – The Peabody Police Department is joining forces with several other Massachusetts city and town police departments in the state’s effort to promote seatbelt use.From now until Nov. 30, the city will increase traffic enforcement, public information and community outreach to reduce automobile-related fatalities, injuries and economic loss. All is made possible through the state’s Click It or Ticket mobilization program, which first began in fall 2002.Each year, law enforcement agencies are provided with grant money to use for extra enforcement with the focus on child safety seat and seatbelt use. This year, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security has made $1.3 million in federal highway safety funds available.The money is designated for use during several of the specified mobilization weeks, the first of which will come to an end on Nov. 30. Future scheduled weeks are May 11 through May 31 and July 1 through July 21.”This Click it or Ticket Mobilization is an opportunity for all of us to remember the importance of buckling up,” said Peabody Police Chief Robert Champagne. “It’s the law, and statistics have proven time and time again that seatbelts save lives.”According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities from crashes. Furthermore, when lap and shoulder belts are properly used, the risk of a fatal injury to a front seat passenger is reduced by 45 percent. The risk of moderate to serious injuries drops by 50 percent.Through the Click It or Ticket program, drivers and passengers may be fined if caught without their seatbelt properly in place. Even with the risk of injury and fines, more than 30 percent of resident drivers still fail to buckle up.Since its inception six years ago, the state has seen seatbelt use jump from 16 percent to 67 percent in 2008. The goal, however, is to reach 70 percent compliance by 2009, which is still lower than the national average of 83 percent.