A seat belt survey in 2008 revealed an 86 percent usage rate, while a survey conducted in 2009 showed an 89.8 percent usage rate.
This increase, according to Sgt. Paul Ogumoro of the DPS Traffic Division, could be attributed to the enforcement and education campaign of the traffic officers in increasing safety awareness at all times, and the heightened police visibility on the streets.
“When motorists see traffic officers on the road, they often remember to buckle up,” Ogumoro said.
He said issuing a citation is not necessarily the first step if we see drivers or passengers who are not wearing seatbelts.
“A warning is a very effective means of educating a motorist to wear seat belts on the road as a safety precaution,” Ogumoro said.
But citations will be issued especially to violators who will be caught again after warnings, and the violator will have to go to court and pay penalties.
“Unlike some states, the seat belt and car seat law is a primary law in the CNMI,” Ogumoro said.
He said the traffic division put a lot of effort to see to it that motorists in the CNMI are observing the seatbelt law for adults and the car seats for children.
Ogumoro said increasing and regular use of safety belts is the most effective way to protect people, reduce fatalities and injuries and save lives.
National statistics show that one in five Americans or 18 percent nationally fail to regularly wear their seat belts when riding or driving in motor vehicles, based on the seat belt studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The studies showed that in 2007, the use of seat belts saved an estimated 15,147 lives.
An additional 5,024 lives could have been saved if seatbelts were worn at the time of the crashes.
It was also noted that of the total 14,464 passenger vehicle occupants who died in crashes between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. in 2007, 63 percent were not wearing seat belts.
Only 45 percent of passengers were not wearing seat belts during the daytime crashes.
Last Tuesday, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial signed a proclamation declaring May 18-31 as Click It Or Ticket Mobilization.
Ogumoro said with the observance of Police Week and the Click It Or Ticket Mobilization this month, traffic division officers will be actively participating in ensuring that all motor vehicle occupants are buckled up at all times to reduce the risk of injury and death caused in traffic crashes.
