Police enforcing seat-belt crackdown until June 3
BY CHRIS GAETANO
Staff Writer

New Jersey has among the highest rate of seat-belt use in the nation at about 90 percent in 2006, but local police feel residents could do better.

With this in mind, the North and South Brunswick police departments have begun a two-week seat-belt crackdown as part of a statewide Click It or Ticket initiative. Through June 3, drivers passing through the township can expect to see increased police presence to encourage more people to wear seat belts, and to punish those who don't.

"Our goal is increased safety," said South Brunswick Chief Raymond Hayducka. "This campaign is about preventing needless injuries and deaths in motor vehicle accidents."

Proof of the importance of wearing a seat belt might be found with Gov. Jon Corzine, who was not wearing one when he had his nearly fatal car accident on April 12. After sustaining serious injuries which left him hospitalized for weeks, he has come out in support of getting state residents to wear their seat belts, principally through a taped public service announcement that will soon be airing in the state.

According to federal statistics, about 81 percent of drivers nationwide wear seat belts regularly. The lowest rates of belt usage are in Wyoming and New Hampshire, where only about 64 percent of drivers use them. The highest is Washington state, with an estimated 96 percent usage rate.

South Brunswick has seen several fatal car accidents that police say could be attributed to not wearing a seat belt, with three last year alone. On Dec. 5 on Route 32, both occupants were thrown from the vehicle after a crash. One victim died at the scene the other was critically injured. On Oct. 16 Fresh Ponds Road saw a 16-year-old male critically injured after, again, being ejected from the vehicle he was in after it struck a tree. On Sept. 9 a single vehicle accident on Route 1 seriously injured two children who were not wearing safety belts. An 8-year-old girl was thrown forward and suffered serious head injuries and a broken arm, while her 3-year-old brother suffered a concussion.

"The lives that were forever altered as a result of not wearing a safety belt in 2006 has made us even more committed to increasing awareness and enforcement," said Hayducka .

The North Brunswick Police Department announced it has received a $4,000 grant for its participation in the initiative, and authorities there say they will be putting more officers on the road during targeted time periods. The township will also be launching an education program involving meetings with student and civil groups to inform them about seat-belt laws and safety, according to a press release.