June 21, 2004
Three weeks of advertising, intense statewide publicity and special signs denoting safety belt enforcement zones weren't enough to convince more than 34,000 Michigan motorists to buckle up during the recent two-week Buckle Up or Pay Up, Click It or Ticket mobilization.

According to figures reported to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP), 34,622 occupant restraint citations were issued between May 24 and June 6. Of those citations, 33,780 were for unbuckled drivers and passengers, and 842 were for children under age four who were not properly restrained.

Officers also arrested 1,104 motorists for drunk driving and made 3,975 misdemeanor and 715 felony arrests during the mobilization.

More than 21,000 of the 34,622 safety belt citations issued were handed out in one of the 659 safety belt enforcement zones located across the state. This number reflects nearly a 50 percent increase in zone activity over last year.

Michael L. Prince, OHSP division director, said the increase in citations was not unexpected, given that the number of counties conducting enforcement zones increased from 20 to 48.

"This campaign is measured by our safety belt use rate, not the number of citations issued," Prince said. "Considering the amount of publicity surrounding this effort and the fact that each zone was clearly marked with a sign, this proves what a challenge it is to get motorists to buckle up."

The safety belt use rate is determined through an observation study, the results of which should be available in mid-July.

This enforcement period included the Memorial Day holiday. According to preliminary figures from the Michigan State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center, there were nine traffic fatalities during this holiday period.

OHSP coordinated the Buckle Up or Pay Up, Click It or Ticket mobilization, providing federal traffic safety funds for overtime patrols and paid advertising to promote awareness of the initiative. By providing law enforcement agencies with overtime funding, officers can concentrate on safety belt enforcement without taking away from their day-to-day duties.

A second summer safety belt enforcement blitz is slated for Aug. 27 – Sept. 12.

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.