Mid-Atlantic Region Cracks Down on Seat Belt Laws

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 19, 2002; More than 1,100 law enforcement agencies in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia will step up enforcement of seat belt and child restraint laws around the Thanksgiving holiday, November 18 - November 30, in coordination with Click It or Ticket, a nationwide effort by more than 12,000 law enforcement agencies. The effort by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will include participation by PENNDOT and more than 545 law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania. The enforcement blitz comes as new data show that more men and women in uniform die in traffic crashes than any other cause. Deaths among military personnel occurring in private motor vehicle crashes are up 35 percent from last year -- the highest motor vehicle fatality rate for military personnel in the last four years. Military personnel by virtue of age and gender typically epitomize the low belt user -- males ages 18-34.

Teens and young adults will continue to be a focus of the Mobilization. Last year in Pennsylvania, 475 teens ages 15-19 died and thousands more were injured in traffic crashes. By simply wearing a seat belt, more than half of these deaths could have been prevented. College and university police across the state are joining the effort to keep college students safe as they hit the roads this holiday weekend.

What: * News Conference to Launch Operation ABC Mobilization seatbelt campaign in NHTSA Region III (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia) * Mock traffic safety checkpoint from 10:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. at Convention Ave.

WHO: * Dr. Elizabeth Baker, NHTSA Region III Administrator * U.S. Marine Corps Major Gen. Clifford L. Stanley (ret.), Executive Vice President, University of Pennsylvania * Andy Warren, PENNDOT District Administrator * Maury Hannigan, Vice President, Affiliated Computer Services and spokesman for the Airbag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign * Steve Johnson, Inspector, Philadelphia Police Department

Where: * Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania 235 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Media should park on 33rd St. between Walnut and Spruce Sts.