May 17, 2013 According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10,000 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in 2011 because they were not properly restrained at the time of the crash. On the other hand, 444 lives were saved by seat belts in New York alone the same year. In an effort to help prevent fatalities due to New York Car Accidents, state officials are launching a two-week enforcement program next Monday, called “Operation Border To Border.” An article from WGRZ 2 News explained that officers will be stopping and citing motorists who are not properly restrained during the campaign under a zero tolerance policy. Furthermore, law enforcement will ticket anyone whose passengers are not legally restrained, including children. Under New York State law, children under the age of 4 years old must be properly restrained in a child safety seat when riding in a motor vehicle. All children under the age of 8 years old must also be secured by an appropriate child restraint system, or booster seat. It is important for parents to remember that a vehicle’s safety belt is not built to restrain a child safely in the event of an accident. The Buffalo Personal Injury Lawyers with William Mattar Law Offices recognize the importance of always buckling up, and they ask all motorists to adhere to laws requiring the use of these lifesaving devices!
New York State Cracking Down on Buckling Up