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YORKTOWN, N.Y. For the next two weeks, the Yorktown Police Department will be participating in the 2012 spring National Click It or Ticket program.
From May 21 to June 3, police said officers will be focusing on enforcement of the seat belt laws, with the goal of increased voluntary use of seat belts. While the overall national average for seat belt usage is nearly 90 percent, the usage among teenage drivers is only 46 percent, even when driving with an adult, according to police.
Yorktown Police Chief Daniel McMahon said statistics show regular seat belt use is the most effective way to protect individuals in motor vehicles, minimize the severity of injuries and reduce fatalities.
According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles laws, the driver and passenger must wear a seat belt in the front seat. In addition, each passenger under age 16 must wear a seat belt or use an appropriate child safety restraint system.
If a passenger under 16 is found to be disobeying the law, the driver can be fined and receive three driver license penalty points for each violation.
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