Click It or Ticket to Boost Seat Belt Use – Day and Night

Motorists who refuse to wear their seat belts – beware.  The 2012 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization kicks off May 21 to help save lives by cracking down on those who don’t buckle up.   

Maryland State Police is joining with other state and local law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates across the country to help save more lives by strongly enforcing seat belt laws around the clock. 

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010 nationally, 61 percent of the 10,647 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes overnight (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crash, compared to 42 percent during the daytime hours.

“Too many drivers and passengers on the road at night are not wearing their seat belts, and it all too often ends in tragedy,” said Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus L. Brown. “Our goal is to save more lives, so Maryland State Police will be out enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.”

Seat belt use saves thousands of lives across America each year and Maryland State Police is helping spread the word. NHTSA statistics show that in 2010 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 12,546 lives nationwide.

Yet, too many motorists may need a tough reminder. In 2010, 22,187 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle crashes, according to NHTSA, and 51 percent of them were NOT wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes.

Nationally, motorcyclist fatalities increased slightly in 2010 to 4,502, accounting for 14 percent of total fatalities for the year. This increase in motorcycle fatalities for the year resumes the unfortunate overall increasing trend over the last 13 years, an upward trend that saw only a single one-year decline in 2009, when 4,462 motorcyclists were killed. However, the greatest decrease in the estimated number of injured people is among motorcyclists, with an 8.9-percent decrease.

In response to this increase, Maryland State Police is joining with other federal, state and local highway safety, law enforcement, and motorcycle organizations in proclaiming May as “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.” During this time – and during the rest of the year - motorists and other road users are reminded to safely “share the road” with motorcycles, and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe.  Changing the driving habits of motorists and motorcyclists alike will help decrease the numbers of motorcyclist killed and injured in crashes. Motorcyclists are reminded to make sure that they are visible to motorists, and that they follow the rules of the road.  All road users are reminded to never drive, ride, walk or bicycle while distracted.

As the weather improves, more and more motorcyclists are hitting the roads. And with that in mind, pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers of all vehicles, including SUVs, passenger cars and trucks, need to be extra attentive and make sure they ‘share the road.’  A motorcycle is one of the smallest vehicles on our roads, often hidden in a car or truck’s blind spot. Every driver needs to aggressively look for them before changing lanes or merging with traffic.”

Motorists and bicyclists should perform visual checks for motorcyclists by checking mirrors and blind spots before they enter or exit a lane of traffic, and at intersections.  Pedestrians should also get into the habit of scanning for motorcyclists who might be hidden by other traffic.

Motorcyclists have responsibilities, too. They should obey traffic rules, be alert to other drivers, never ride while impaired or distracted, and always wear a Department of Transportation compliant helmet and other protective gear.

A motorcyclist is much more vulnerable than a passenger vehicle occupant in the event of a crash.  Research from U.S. DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 39 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in traffic crashes.

Here’s some tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our roadways.

·         Remember, a motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle.

·         Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width—never try to share a lane.

·         Perform a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or exiting a lane of traffic, and at intersections.

·         Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic.

·         Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a mo­torcycle – motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.

·         Allow more following distance - three or four sec­onds - when behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emer­gency.

·         Never tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.

·         Never drive while distracted. 

Motorcyclists can increase their safety by: 

·         Avoiding riding in poor weather conditions;

·         Wearing brightly colored protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet;

·         Using turn signals for every turn or lane change, even if the rider thinks no one will see it;

·         Combining hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to themselves;

·         Using reflective tape and stickers to increase conspicuity;

·         Positioning themselves in the lane where they will be most visible to other drivers; and

·         Never driving while impaired. 

Our message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: Help to share in the responsibility of keeping all road users safe, and do your part by safely “sharing the road.”

In the Maryland State Police, we do not define a hero by his or her time on earth, but what they did while they were here.  The 43 Maryland State Police fallen heroes did more than any of us have done.  They gave more than anyone had a right to ask for.  They gave their all in service to others.

They are the heroes of the Maryland State Police.  They live in our hearts, our minds, our traditions, and in the way we carry out our duties each day. 
This is not a job that can be filled by ordinary people.  It is a job that requires the extraordinary.  Our 43 fallen heroes are the most extraordinary of all.  The selfless service and sacrifice of 42 men and 1 woman who said, "I care, I will serve, and I will make a difference."  That commitment cost each of them their life.  It is a debt we can never repay.  It is a sacrifice we must always remember. 

The men and women of the Maryland State Police carry the legacy of these 43 fallen troopers with them each day.  We honor them by our commitment to serving others and fulfilling the public safety mission of this Department.

Never forget that our fallen are our finest.  They are riding with us.  They are counting on us to remember them and to uphold the values and traditions of "Maryland's Finest."

Drivers approaching an emergency vehicle that is stopped, standing, or parked on a highway and using any visual signals, must move into the next lane away from the emergency vehicle.  If a lane change is not possible, the driver must slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for the existing conditions.