Woburn Police Remind Motorist to Buckle Up or Face Fines

The Woburn Police Department is partnering with other law enforcement agencies to ensure motorists and passengers are wearing their seat belts while on the road in the lead-up to the Memorial Day holiday. 

According to a notice from the department, the Woburn Police Department, in partnership with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s (EOPSS) Highway Safety Division (HSD), the State Police and many other local departments will take part in the 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization from May 20 to June 2 and crack down on motorists who are not belted.

“As we kick-off  the busy summer driving season it’s important that everyone buckles up every time they go out, both day and night – no excuses,” said Lieutenant Chris Wackrow  “Our officers are also prepared to ticket drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts – Click It or Ticket.”

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over half of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were unbelted at the time of the crash, the release from Woburn Police states.

"Those deaths were more prevalent at night than during the daytime," police state. "Tragically, these national statistics are mirrored locally.  According to the NHTSA, 54 percent of people killed in passenger motor vehicle crashes in Massachusetts during 2011 were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash."

Woburn police are also reminding people that they can help save their lives by one simple click.

“Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up,” said Lt. Wackrow. “We want everyone to have a safe summer, but it requires an important step on the part of motorists – clicking that seat belt – every trip, every time.”

NHTSA estimates 11,949 lives nationwide were saved by using seat belts.  This year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 20 through June 2 but officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round.

 For more on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, visit www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.