June 10, 2008

Michigan motorists must have gotten the message that law enforcement were serious about buckling up, as officers noted a marked decline in unbelted motorists and issued far fewer belt citations than in past efforts. According to preliminary reports from participating agencies, 8,279 safety belt citations were issued during the recent Buckle Up or Pay Up, Click It or Ticket enforcement period.

Between May 19 and June 1, officers across the state cited motorists who were not properly buckled in safety belt enforcement zones as well as during roving nighttime patrols. Of the 8,279 restraint citations issued, 156 were for children under 4 years old who were not properly restrained in a child safety seat.

Officers wrote 7,425 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. The remainder of the citations were issued by agencies who conducted roving nighttime patrols and law enforcement agencies that voluntarily agreed to make safety belt enforcement a priority during the enforcement period.

"Many agencies reported seeing high compliance with the state's safety belt law, and issued few tickets during the two-week period," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director. ""This is good news. The purpose of the statewide Buckle Up or Pay Up, Click It or Ticket enforcement effort is to save lives, not write citations."

According to preliminary reports by the Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center, seven people died over the Memorial Day holiday period. Part of the decline in citations could be attributed to an extensive two-week advertising blitz that forewarned motorists of the statewide enforcement effort. Advertisements, geared toward young men ages 18-34, included traditional television, radio and cable spots, as well as internet and movie theater ads, in-stadium ads at Comerica Park in Detroit and projection advertising in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.

The advertising buy was supported through federal traffic safety dollars. No state or general fund monies were used.

In addition to writing safety belt citations, law enforcement officers arrested 113 motorists for drunk driving. They also made 34 felony and 968 misdemeanor arrests and issued 996 speeding citations