NY Cops Start Buckle Up In The Parks Summer Crackdown [VIDEO}

New York was the first state with a primary seat belt law. Compliance is high — 93 percent statewide. PR campaigns like Buckle Up New York have been considered extremely successful.

Except, apparently, for park visitors. They're less compliant themselves and they're not taking care of their kids.

So it's time again for BUNY in the Parks, a summertime initiative from the state police that concentrates on seat belt and child seat safety for those communing with nature in New York's great parks.

“New York has 180 state parks for its residents and visitors to enjoy," said DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder. "Whether you’re driving on a highway to get to one of them or on a park road, always wear your seat belt and make sure your children are properly restrained in a seat suitable for their age and size."

This year’s campaign will be held from July 13 to Aug. 12.

The initiative coincides with one of the peak times that visitors travel to state parks throughout New York State.

The goal is for motorists and their families to arrive and depart safely. Increasing seat-belt use is one of the most effective ways to reduce crash related injuries and fatalities. Ensuring motorists adhere to proper child restraint laws will, no doubt, protect the lives of many that cannot speak for themselves.

“We want the public to enjoy their summer outings but we want them to do so safely," New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett said in announcing the crackdown. "The New York State Police, State Parks Police and our law enforcement partners will be working diligently to educate motorists and enforce compliance to prevent needless tragedies and keep motorists safe.”

During the 2018 BUNY in the Parks campaign, State Police and State Park Police issued more than 3,700 total tickets. That included 2,107 tickets for child restraint violations, and 764 tickets for adult seat-belt violations.

Just so you know, here are highlights of New York State's occupant restraint law:

• In the front seat, the driver and each passenger must wear a seat belt, one person per belt. The driver and front-seat passengers aged 16 or older can be fined up to $50 each for failure to buckle up.
• Every occupant, regardless of age or seating position, must use a safety restraint when riding with driver who has a junior license or learner permit.
• Each passenger under age 16 must wear a seat belt or use an appropriate child safety restraint system. The restraint system must comply with the child height and weight recommendations determined by the manufacturer. Depending on the size of the child, the restraint system may be a safety seat or a booster seat used in combination with a lap and shoulder belt.
• The driver must make sure that each passenger under age 16 obeys the law. The driver can be fined $25 to $100 and receive up to three driver license penalty points for each violation.