June 28, 2005

Lansing - The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning announced today that a record-setting number of Michigan motorists are buckling up following a two-week Buckle Up or Pay Up, Click It or Ticket statewide safety belt mobilization earlier this month.  A recent statewide observation survey conducted by Wayne State University found nearly 93 percent of motorists were buckled up.

            The safety belt mobilization, which ran May 23 through June 5, included a record number of safety belt enforcement zones in the majority of the state’s counties.  Although enforcement was increased, the number of reported safety belt citations fell from the same period a year ago.

            “This is indeed encouraging news because more motorists than ever are using the most important safety device in their vehicle, the safety belt,” said Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, director of the Michigan State Police.  “Safety belts help to protect a vital Michigan resource – our families, our friends and our neighbors.”

            The official figure, 92.9 percent, was derived from trained observers who measure safety belt use from locations throughout the state.  More specific survey information will be available in six to eight weeks.

            Michigan set a record last year when safety belt use reached 90.5 percent following the Labor Day holiday, making it one of only six states with a safety belt use at or above 90 percent.  This year’s safety belt enforcement strategy was tweaked to include five additional counties to reflect summer tourist and travel patterns.

            In addition, a special flight of ads developed specifically for outstate areas and funded through federal dollars ran in select media markets prior to the enforcement activity.

            Strict traffic enforcement will continue throughout the summer with local safety belt and drunk driving enforcement throughout June, July and August.  Summer traffic safety enforcement will conclude with a statewide drunk driving crackdown that coincides with the Labor Day weekend.

Read more news releases from the Michigan State Police.