Naugatuck Police Step Up Seat Belt Enforcement Ahead of Memorial Day

Naugatuck police want to remind motorists to Click It or Ticket. In order to enforce this reminder, the Naugatuck Police Department has stepped up enforcement as of Monday.

As part of the larger national Click It or Ticket campaign, the department will be on the lookout for drivers not wearing their seat belts, including setting up checkpoints around town.

The campaign runs from now through June 1.

“Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer vacation season and we want to ensure that everyone arrives at their destination safe and sound,” Lt. Bryan Cammarata said. “If you are not wearing your seat belt, you will be ticketed.”

Driving fatalities are up nationwide for the first time in 5 years, according to new data released from the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2012, 10,335 people who were killed in motor vehicle accidents were not wearing their seat belts.

NHTSA data also details how more traffic vehicle deaths occur at night. In 2012, 61 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed during nighttime hours (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts.

“We are determined to help bring these numbers down,” Cammarata said. “There are too many people dying on the roads and many of those deaths could have been prevented if people took the simple step of wearing their seat belt.”

“We will be handing out tickets year-round to those who still haven’t gotten the message,” he added.