May 27, 2003

More than 500 law enforcement agencies in Michigan will continue to make safety belt enforcement a priority as the Click It or Ticket national mobilization enters its second week. The high-profile enforcement effort is designed to increase safety belt use in order to reduce traffic deaths and related injuries.

Law enforcement agencies in six areas of the state are participating in a pilot safety belt enforcement zone project. Nearly 50 safety belt enforcement zones are scheduled to take place today through the conclusion of the mobilization June 1. Participating agencies include local police departments, sheriff’s departments and all Michigan State Police posts.

The zones are strategically located in populous/high travel areas where crash problems are prevalent or safety belt use is low. Special, portable "safety belt enforcement zone" signs will alert motorists they are entering an enforcement area, which will run from four to six hours. One officer will serve as a spotter who will radio unbelted motorist information to nearby patrol cars who will pull over offending motorists. Similar programs have been run in the past to detect speeding motorists and construction zone violators.

Zones are taking place throughout the state – Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties and outstate areas including Bay, Grand Traverse, Ingham, Kent and Schoolcraft counties. Federal traffic safety funds administered by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning will pay for enforcement in these areas.

Officers in Berrien, Calhoun, Genesee, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Livingston, Monroe, Muskegon, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair and Washtenaw also have federal funding for special dedicated traffic patrols.

EDITORS: For an up-to-date listing of upcoming safety belt enforcement zones as well as citation results from zones already conducted, visit www.michigan.gov/msp and select Services to Governmental Agencies. Next, select Office of Highway Safety Planning. Information regarding the safety belt mobilization is then available by clicking the Buckle Up or Pay Up logo.

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.