New Jersey has launched its annual Click It or Ticket campaign, aimed at increasing awareness and enforcement of seat belt laws throughout the state. Running through June 2, the campaign provides $600,740 in grants to 105 law enforcement agencies, including Howell Township, to enhance seat belt law enforcement efforts.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS) announced the initiative, emphasizing the importance of seat belt use in reducing traffic fatalities. "Increasing seat belt use is one of the simplest and most effective ways we can reduce traffic fatalities," said Platkin. According to HTS data, 117 people killed in New Jersey crashes in 2023 were not wearing seat belts, accounting for 39% of all vehicle occupant fatalities.

The campaign coincides with the start of the summer travel season, a period historically marked by a surge in crashes and fatalities. The initiative includes increased patrols, seat belt checkpoints, and other enforcement activities to promote road safety. Michael J. Rizol Jr., Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, highlighted the campaign's focus on changing behavior and saving lives.

The national Click It or Ticket campaign, supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), also emphasizes nighttime enforcement, as a higher number of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities occur at night. The national campaign runs from May 19 to June 1, 2025, and encourages drivers and passengers to buckle up every time they enter a vehicle.

In New Jersey, law enforcement agencies take a no-excuses approach to seat belt compliance, with violators facing a $46 fine. The campaign is part of ongoing efforts to improve safety and reduce fatalities on New Jersey's roadways, especially during the busy summer months.

Steve Andrews