June 15, 2006

Law enforcement officers in Michigan issued more than 23,000 safety belt citations during the recent Buckle Up or Pay Up, Click It or Ticket enforcement period, 27 percent fewer than during last year’s mobilization. The number of agencies reporting statistics was down by about 10 percent from 2005, but law enforcement officers arrested more drunk drivers and made more felony arrests.

Statewide, safety belt citations fell by a little more than 8,600, from 31,665 in May 2005 to 23,062 in May 2006. Officers wrote 14,626 of these citations in grant-funded safety belt enforcement zones. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) administered federal traffic safety funds to agencies in 55 counties for the enforcement activity.

"Anecdotal evidence from the zones sug gests that safety belt citations are down because more people are buckling up, and that’s the entire goal of the campaign," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP division director. "We hope the results of the safety belt observation studies will confirm that belt use has risen again this year ."

The campaign also featured two new television ads, including one targeted to teens, and educational materials to reach the goal of 95 percent safety belt use in Michigan. The current rate is 92.9 percent. New figures for 2006 will be available in mid-July.

Officers set up safety belt enforcement zones between May 22 and June 4 to cite motorists who were not properly buckled. Of the 23,062 restraint citations issued, 656 were for children under 4 years old who were not properly restrained in a child safety seat.

Many other law enforcement agencies voluntarily agreed to make safety belt enforcement a priority during that period. Across the state, 340 agencies in 75 counties reported their statistics to OHSP. The Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division also focused additional enforcement on commercial truck drivers.

In addition to writing safety belt citations, l aw enforcement officers arrested 1,054 motorists for drunk driving and 649 individuals on felony charges. They also made 3,464 other misdemeanor arrests and issued 13,704 speeding citations, and found 2,159 drivers with suspended or revoked licenses.

OHSP is providing federal funds for safety belt and drunk driving enforcement throughout the summer. The summer enforcement will end with a drunk driving crackdown Aug. 18-Sept. 4.

For a citation breakdown by county, visit www.michigan.gov/ohsp.

Read more news releases from the Michigan State Police.