Passenger Safety

Traffic Safety Programs
_____________________________________________

The low use of safety belts was a major factor in the 459 fatalities and more than 5,278 incapacitating injuries and $6.3 billion in economic costs associated with motor vehicle crashes in Massachusetts in 2002.

Since safety belts reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a motor vehicle crash by up to 50%, we can improve highway safety in Massachusetts by getting more people to buckle up with our Click It or Ticket Campaign.

The goal of the campaign is to increase the safety belt use rate in Massachusetts to 66% in 2005. As of June 2004 our safety belt use rate was 63%, as compared to the national rate of 80%.

Massachusetts law requires all occupants to be properly restrained by a safety belt when riding in a private passenger motor vehicle, including vans and trucks

Best practices:

Children from birth to one year and less than 20 pounds must be in a rear facing Infant Seat.
Children over 1 year and 20 pounds to 40 pounds must be in a forward facing Car Seat.
Children over 40 pounds and under 80 pounds must be in a Booster Seat.
Children under age 13 should not ride in the front seat.
All children should be riding in the back seat and away from Air Bags.

Anyone with questions or Car Seat installation should call the
West Newbury Police Department
(978) 363-1213 or e-mail us: police@westnewburysafety.org

You Drink & Drive. You Lose.

_____________________________________________

There were 462 motor vehicle-related fatalities in Massachusetts in 2003. Forty-five percent of these deaths (207) involved the use of alcohol or other drugs - compared to the national rate of 40%.

To reduce impaired driving, the GHSB has a statewide campaign, You Drink & Drive. You Lose., to coordinate extra state and local traffic enforcement, paid and earned media, along with community education during these mobilization periods in 2004-2005:

July 4th Mobilization
July 1 to 17, 2005Labor Day Mobilization
August 19 to September 5, 2005

The GHSB is funding the following initiatives for the Holiday Season You Drink & Drive. You Lose. Mobilization:

More than 265 local police departments and the State Police will conduct high-visibility traffic enforcement that cracksdown on impaired drivers.
Look and listen for our You Drink & Drive. You Lose. TV and radio ads that will run statewide.