NHSP Seat Belt Press Conf

According to NHTSA, in 2017, there were 10,076 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in the United States. In that same year, 55 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed at night (6 p.m.–5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts. That’s why one focus of the Click It or Ticket campaign and the B2B kickoff event is night time enforcement.

Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.

New Hampshire, without a primary adult seat belt law, the main focus will be youth operators and occupants under 18. NH law enforcement will be reminding youth operators and occupants to wear a seat belt as required, as well as educating all NH residents about the importance of wearing a seat belt. Every Trip. Every Time.

“The Border to Border component of the Click It or Ticket campaign is so important because it raises awareness about seat belt safety during the time period when seat belts are least used,” said OHS Spokesperson, Jennifer Tramp. “With an increased number of cars flooding the streets due to the Memorial Day holiday, it’s imperative we get the word out about the importance of seat belt safety.”

“In 2018, we lost 72 community members because they did not buckle their seat belts,” said OHS Commander, Bill Haynes. “That’s too many lives lost due to not wearing a seat belt.” In New Hampshire there were 147 traffic related fatalities, of the 106 who were motor vehicle occupants 72 were UNRESTRAINED which is 68% of the deaths.

Commander Haynes continued, “If you know a friend or a family member who does not buckle up when they drive, please ask them to consider changing their habits. Help us spread this lifesaving message before one more friend or family member is killed as a result of this senseless inaction. Seat belts save lives, and everyone—front seat and back, child and adult—needs to remember to buckle up—every