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'Click it or Ticket' - New Safety Belt Law Takes Effect Friday

8 March 2000

'Click it or Ticket' - New Safety Belt Law Takes Effect Friday, Reports Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning

    LANSING, Mich., March 8 Press events around the state
announced the new seat belt law that will take effect on March 10, 2000.
    The news conference took place at the Michigan Historical Center in
Lansing, signifying the history the state is creating with passage of this new
law.  "Law enforcement officers are looking forward to seeing fewer fatalities
and serious injuries as a result of the new safety belt law," said Colonel
Michael D. Robinson, director of the Michigan State Police.  "Strict
enforcement is crucial in reducing injuries and death.  Our message is simple:
buckle up -- it saves lives."
    "Safety belts are the most effective way to prevent serious injuries or
death in a traffic crash," said Dr. Krishna K. Sawhney M.D., president for the
Michigan State Medical Society, at a Lansing news conference.  The "Click it
or Ticket" campaign held special events around the state to alert the public
of the new standard enforcement safety belt law.  "Many do not realize the
physical, emotional and financial burdens that can be spared by wearing their
safety belts.  This new law will help prevent hundreds of serious injuries and
deaths, and save millions of dollars," said Sawhney.
    The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning has been leading a public
information campaign since October to educate the public about the new law.
The campaign has worked with the Service Station Dealers Association of
Michigan, Michigan Petroleum Association, Associated Petroleum Industries of
Michigan, Equilon Enterprises (Shell and Texaco), BP Amoco and the Michigan
Auto Dealers Association, to help inform motorists of the new law by
displaying materials at gas pumps and auto service centers.  Other public
education efforts have included television and radio public service
announcements, billboard advertisements and support from prominent media
figures around the state.  Betty J. Mercer, division director of OHSP said,
"The campaign is intended to ensure all motorists are aware of the change in
the law."
    "Safety belts are proven lifesavers," added Mercer.  "We're confident the
new law will be, a turning point, dramatically increasing safety belt use, and
helping to drive down traffic fatalities."
    The new standard enforcement law, Public Act 29 of 1999, will go into
effect Friday.  Under the new law, drivers and front seat passengers are to be
buckled up, or face a citation that could lead to a fine of $25 plus court
costs.  The new law also requires all children under the age of four to be
placed in child restraint seats when riding in a vehicle in all seating
positions.  All other passengers under 16 must be buckled up, regardless of
seating position.
    Current seat belt use is 70% in Michigan.  Use is lowest among young men,
pickup truck drivers and motorists in the Wayne County area.  This campaign
was designed to reach these specific groups to help increase their belt usage
rate.  Special efforts are underway in Wayne County to increase belt use.  A
specific public education group for Wayne County has been meeting on a regular
basis since last summer.  They are working with local churches and medical
groups to ensure that the message is directed at the minority groups in Wayne
County.
    Other details regarding the "Click it or Ticket" campaign can be obtained
by contacting Anne Readett at the Office of Highway Safety Planning at
517-333-5317 or David Waymire of Marketing Resource Group, Inc. at
517-372-4400.