For Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

East Bridgewater Police to Participate in Click It or Ticket Campaign

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen is pleased to announce that the East Bridgewater Police Department will take part in the national Click It or Ticket campaign that kicks off next week.

The Massachusetts Highway Safety Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security annually organizes a Click It or Ticket campaign to promote seat belt use through increased traffic enforcement. The campaign will run from May 13 through June 2.

According to the state’s annual seat belt observation study, the seat belt use rate rose to 81.6 percent in Massachusetts last year, but it still lags well behind the national average of 89.7 percent.

Additionally, while an estimated 61 lives were saved in Massachusetts in 2017 by seat belts, 62 percent of people killed in motor vehicle crashes in the same year were unrestrained, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Seat belts save lives, and it’s critical that people wear them while driving,” Chief Allen said. “This campaign is a great opportunity for law enforcement agencies to remind their communities of the importance of wearing their seat belts, and that children need to ride in a child seat that is properly secured and appropriate for their age.”

Massachusetts law requires all motor vehicle occupants to wear a seat belt. All children riding as a passenger in motor vehicles must be in a federally-approved child passenger restraint that is properly fastened and secured until they are 8 years old or over 57 inches tall. Children older than 8 years old or taller than 57 inches then must wear seat belts.

The East Bridgewater Police Department is one of approximately 140 local departments, along with the Massachusetts State Police to participate in the high-visibility mobilization.

Anyone who has questions or concerns about the campaign, or who would like to schedule an appointment to have a child safety seat installed, should contact the East Bridgewater Police Department at 508-378-7223.

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