Westchester County, Pelham police participating in statewide seat-belt enforcement campaign

Hutchinson River Parkway

Hutchinson River Parkway

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Westchester County Legislator Terry Clement.

Westchester County Police are participating in a statewide seat belt enforcement campaign that is aimed at ensuring motorists buckle up for safety.

(The following information was not in the release. Pelham Police Chief Jason Pallett said his department is also participating. “The public can expect roving traffic safety checkpoints in the village and beefed up seat-belt enforcement this week.”)

Officers are conducting the increased enforcement along the parkways patrolled by the County Police and in Cortlandt and Mount Kisco. Officers will use marked and unmarked vehicles, checkpoints and roving patrols to locate unbelted drivers and front-seat passengers. In addition, officers will ensure any children in a vehicle are properly restrained.

The enforcement campaign, which began Monday, is sponsored by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and is known formally as the Buckle Up New York, Click It or Ticket campaign.

New York State estimates that 93% of motorists in New York use their seat belts. While that is a high rate of compliance, the goal is 100%. As a result, one theme of this year’s campaign is Zero Tolerance, meaning summonses, not warnings, will be issued to anyone not wearing a required seat belt.

New York State law requires that all front-seat occupants must be properly secured, regardless of age. All rear-seat passengers under the age of 16 must also be properly secured in a seat belt or in a car seat appropriate for their age. Drivers and front seat passengers over age 16 face a fine of up to $50 for not buckling up. Drivers who fail to properly secure children face a $100 fine and three points on their license.