‘Click-It or Ticket’—

Police To Focus On Motorist Safety Laws

By Andrew Gorosko

Town police plan to focus on automobile safety belt and child safety seat laws during a two-week enforcement campaign running from May 24 through June 6, according to police patrol Sergeant Douglas Wisentaner.

The centerpiece of the enforcement project is the Memorial Day weekend, which runs from Friday, May 28, through Monday, May 31.

Town police will join with 13,000 other law enforcement agencies across the United States during the two-week period in the “Click-It or Ticket” enforcement project, according to the sergeant.

As the summer approaches, residents are busy preparing for warm weather festivities, and people are not inclined to think about matters such as automobile accidents. But travel increases greatly during the summer, and with increased travel comes the potential for accidents, according to police.

There are three basic highway safety rules, Sgt Wisentaner said. They are: always use safety belts while traveling, always obey posted speed limits, and never drink alcohol and drive.

Besides the automobile safety belt and child safety seat enforcement, police will be keeping an eye out for drunken drivers, he added.

“The intent of this enforcement effort is to remind motorists to always use good highway safety sense, especially during this highly traveled holiday season,” according to the sergeant.

“Obviously, no one wants to face the holidays with the loss of a loved one,” said Sgt Wisentaner. “We are anticipating that increased awareness and enforcement will assist us in having a fatality-free holiday season,” he said.

Courteous driving techniques and being well-rested also contribute toward highway safety, he said.

The sergeant has provided an Internet address for a website where the public can learn about highway safety. It is: drink-drive-lose.com.

During 2002 in Connecticut, there were 299 fatal auto accidents, in which 323 people died. Nationwide, 32,598 people died in auto accidents in 2002.

Connecticut has a “primary law” specifically requiring motorists to wear safety belts. It allows police to stop motorists who are not wearing safety belts. Belt usage in the state is estimated at 78 percent compliance.