Safety belt, drunk driving enforcement to continue throughout summer

Law enforcement officers in Michigan issued nearly 31,600 safety belt citations during the recent two-week Buckle Up or Pay Up, Click It or Ticket enforcement period. Agencies across Michigan reported issuing fewer safety belt citations than in the May 2004 mobilization but cited more motorists for other traffic violations.

Statewide, safety belt citations fell by more than 3,000, from 34,812 in May 2004 to 31,665 in May 2005. Officers wrote 13,581 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 53 counties for the enforcement activity.

As part of the effort to make this the safest summer on record, officers set up safety belt enforcement zones between May 23 and June 5 to cite motorists who were not properly buckled. Of the 31,665 safety belt citations issued, 1,054 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, 380 agencies in 76 counties reported their statistics to OHSP.

"This safety belt enforcement initiative is a great start to what we hope will be Michigan’s safest summer," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP division director. "By issuing citations, officers sent the message that safety belts are important—they save lives."

Officers found more than safety belt scofflaws while conducting zones. They arrested 1,039 motorists for drunk driving, 638 individuals on other felony charges and 3,905 for misdemeanors. In addition, 15,081 speeding citations were issued.

OHSP is providing federal funds for safety belt and drunk driving enforcement throughout the summer. The goal is to reduce traffic fatalities by 13, an average of one person a week. The summer enforcement will end with a You Drink and Drive. You Lose. crackdown Aug. 19-Sept. 5.

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.