Press release
As Memorial Day weekend approaches and the unofficial start to summer begins, more motorists are taking to our roadways. The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office is urging everyone to buckle up, this includes proper child safety seat usage as well. Starting May 20th –June 2nd the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the Click It or Ticket Seat Belt Enforcement Mobilization, also known as Buckle Up New York (BUNY).
New York is among several States participating in a Border-to-Border enforcement campaign which cracks down on motorists who are not belted. Targeted enforcement will be between 6 AM and 8 PM and will consist of roving patrols along with possible checkpoints.
The Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office may participate in checkpoints alongside the New York State Police and other local law enforcement agencies within Wyoming County. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that in 2022, 11302 people killed in car crashes were not wearing seatbelts. On average, every 47 minutes someone not wearing a seat belt dies in a car crash. In 2022, more unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants died in traffic crashes at night (6,252) than during the day (4,949). 66% of the 26,325 passenger-vehicle occupants killed in crashes nationwide were men. Men also wear their seat belts at a lower rate than women do—54% of men killed in crashes were unrestrained, compared to 42% of women killed in crashes. Under New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law:
• As of November 1, 2020, New York State now requires all passengers to buckle up regardless of where they sit in the vehicle – including drivers and all passengers.
• All children under the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing child safety seat. All children under the age of 4 ride in child safety seats. All children ride in child restraint systems until their 8th birthday.
• A vehicle’s safety belt is NOT a child restraint system.
• Children riding in booster seats must be secured with a combination lap/shoulder seat belt (NEVER secure a child in a booster seat with only a lap belt).
Link to NYS DMV for full information on safety seats https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/safety-restraints