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“Eleven years later, with the help of state and local police, we have increased our seat belt usage rate almost 30 percent, which is remarkable,” said Governor Rell. “Regular safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.” Statistics from the National Highway Traffic safety Administration (NHTSA) show that adult lap and shoulder safety belts, when worn correctly, reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent – and by 60 percent in pickup trucks, SUVs and mini-vans. However, nearly one in five Americans (19 percent nationally) still fail to regularly wear their seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle, according to NHTSA. Connecticut is consistent with the national average in that nearly one in five people still fail to regularly wear their safety belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle. “From May 12 through June 1, 2008, we joined with state and local law enforcement and highway safety officials across the country to launch an aggressive national ‘Click It or Ticket’ seat belt enforcement mobilization,” said Governor Rell. “The goal was to reduce highway fatalities – with a new emphasis this year on convincing more motorists to buckle up day and night.” During previous Click It or Ticket campaigns, the majority of checkpoints were set up during daylight hours. This year, seat belt enforcement checkpoints were conducted all hours of the day and night. “Everyone traveling in a motor vehicle should always wear their safety belt. Children should always use a height and weight appropriate child safety seat and should ride in the back seat, as this seating position is the safest for them,” said H. James Boice, the Governor Highway Safety Representative. “Unless you want to risk a ticket, or worse – your life – you need to always remember to ‘Click It or Ticket,’ every time, every trip.” © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: Green Party candidates excluded from debates - Sep 23, 2008 - 6:25 PM South Norwalk Railroad station renovation project underway - Sep 23, 2008 - 1:17 PM Governor Rell: Projected budget deficit climbs to more than $300 million - Sep 22, 2008 - 6:11 PM Governor Rell writes congressional leadership urging action on second federal stimulus package - Sep 18, 2008 - 1:58 PM Governor Rell: Added LIHEAP funds ‘more than welcome’ – but still more required - Sep 17, 2008 - 1:27 PM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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