Linden, NJ – The Linden Police Department will join law enforcement officers across the country in a crackdown on unbuckled motorists and passengers as part of the annual “Click It or Ticket” enforcement effort. The campaign, coinciding with the Memorial Day holiday, aims to emphasize the life-saving importance of seat belts through high visibility checkpoints and patrols.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,302 passengers killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2022 were unrestrained. Despite a national compliance rate of nearly 92%, concerning trends reveal that 60% of young adults killed and 57% of nighttime crash victims were unbelted.
Police Chief David Hart stressed, “Putting on your seatbelt is the single most vital step you can take when entering a vehicle.” He highlighted that taking a few seconds to buckle up can reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a crash by 45%, emphasizing the significant impact of this simple action.
In New Jersey, all occupants must wear seatbelts irrespective of where they are seated. Drivers, front seat passengers, or those under 18 traveling unbuckled face primary offense violations. While adults over 18 are accountable for their safety, drivers bear responsibility for ensuring passengers under 18 are buckled up.