Click-It Or Ticket—

Enforcement Project Yields Variety Of Offenses

The police department’s patrol unit recently completed a two-week motorist safety belt enforcement campaign during which 127 various enforcement actions were taken by police.

Known as the “Click-It or Ticket” enforcement project, the effort’s focus was enforcing automobile safety belt and child safety seat laws. The project ran from May 24 through June 6.

Connecticut law specifically requires motorists to wear safety belts. It allows police to stop motorists who are not wearing safety belts.

During the enforcement project, police issued 30 infraction tickets and five written warnings for seat belt violations, said police Sergeant Douglas Wisentaner.

Police also issued one infraction for a child restraint violation.

Police took two people into custody on charges of driving under the influence.

Also, 19 infraction tickets and five written warnings were issued for vehicle speed violations.

Additionally, police issued 32 infraction tickets and 33 written warnings for miscellaneous motor vehicle violations.

During the enforcement project, local police used saturation patrols, routine patrols, and spot checks.

A survey of seat belt compliance among local drivers indicated an 86 percent rate of seat belt usage in Newtown, compared to a national average of 79 percent, Sgt Wisentaner said.

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

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