For Immediate Release: November 12, 2009

Thruway Authority, State Police Troop T Announce “Buckle Up New York” Initiative to Begin Monday, November 16

The New York State Thruway Authority and New York State Police Troop T today announced another wave of the Statewide seat belt enforcement initiative, “Buckle Up New York.” The 14-day awareness campaign will begin Monday, November 16 and continue until Sunday, November 29, 2009.

“State Police have identified that a properly restrained motorist has much greater chance of surviving an accident than one who does not wear a safety restraint,” said Thruway Authority Executive Michael R. Fleischer. “Therefore, to retain the Thruway’s excellent safety record, through initiatives such as this, the Authority and State Police Troop T are dedicated to continue to educate the motoring public about the importance of seat belt compliance along the New York State Thruway.”

Beginning Monday, November 16, and continuing through Sunday, November 29, Members of Troop T will staff safety restraint checkpoints and patrol the 641-mile* New York State Thruway ensuring seatbelt compliance. 

“Every year State Police are called to respond to accident scenes where injuries and fatalities could have been prevented had someone simply buckled their seatbelt,” said Troop T Commander Major Robert C. Meyers. “It only takes seconds to buckle up. Using seatbelts clearly saves lives, and if you don’t, you’re going to get a ticket from a Member of Troop T.”

In 2008, State Police Troop T issued approximately 16,208 tickets to motorists not wearing their seat belts while traveling the Thruway. Drivers and front-seat passengers who are 16 years of age and older may be fined up to $50 for failing to buckle up. Drivers who fail to have children properly secured may be fined $100 and receive three points on their license.

New York State Law requires that all front seat occupants must be properly secured, regardless of age; all  rear seat passengers under 16 years of age must be properly secured; children under age 4 must be restrained in a federally approved child safety seat; children under age 4, but weighing more than 40 pounds, may be secured in a booster seat with a lap/shoulder safety belt; children ages 4, 5 and 6 must be restrained in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat, one for which the child meets the height and weight recommendations of the seat manufacturer.  Children in this age group who are more than 4’9” tall are exempt from this requirement.

*Operating length includes I-84. I-84 is maintained by the Authority, under contract with the New York State Department of Transportation.

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