No fooling — citation phase of Maine seat belt law now in effect

Beginning today, police can stop motorists if they are seen driving without wearing a seat belt.

Maine's Primary Safety Belt Law, the education phase of which went into effect in September 2007, is now expanding to include the Citation Phase, which begins today.

Since the law was passed, motorists could be cited and fined for not wearing a seat belt only if the infraction is discovered when they are pulled over for an unrelated violation.

Now, police can pull a motorist over specifically because they are not wearing a seat belt.

"We're hoping to save lives," said Lauren Stewart, director of the Maine Department of Highway Safety, adding as Maine is the third lowest state in the nation for seat belt usage, measures like this law are important.

Currently, the fine for not wearing a seat belt is $70 or a written warning. With the new phase of the law, the first violation will be $50, the second violation $125 and the third and subsequent violations will be $250.

"We will be enforcing it," said Berwick Police Capt. Jerry Locke.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that nearly 64 percent of teenage passenger vehicle occupants killed in fatal crashes in 2006 were not wearing seat belts.

Locke said Berwick deals with a heightened number of motorists who aren't wearing seat belts because the town borders New Hampshire, which doesn't have a seat belt law of any kind.

"We see a lot of" unbelted motorists," he said.

According to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety, it is estimated this law will save 10 lives and 155 serious injuries.

"The law will also save taxpayers approximately $33 million in medical expenses, lost productivity, property damage and related costs," the press release reads. This information is based on a 9.1 percent increase in seat belt use from the 2006 rate of 77 percent.

In addition to this law, municipalities all over the state and nation can apply for a federal grant through the state to enact "Click it or Ticket" Enforcement Mobilization, which allows police departments to extend hours of patrol to focus on unbuckled motorists day and night.

The program runs from May 19 to June 1. Locke said Berwick has applied for the grant and is waiting to hear back.

"We're hoping (all municipalities) choose to" participate, Stewart said.

Maine's Primary Safety Belt Law, the education phase of which went into effect in September 2007, is now expanding to include the Citation Phase, which begins today.

Since the law was passed, motorists could be cited and fined for not wearing a seat belt only if the infraction is discovered when they are pulled over for an unrelated violation.

Now, police can pull a motorist over specifically because they are not wearing a seat belt.

"We're hoping to save lives," said Lauren Stewart, director of the Maine Department of Highway Safety, adding as Maine is the third lowest state in the nation for seat belt usage, measures like this law are important.

Currently, the fine for not wearing a seat belt is $70 or a written warning. With the new phase of the law, the first violation will be $50, the second violation $125 and the third and subsequent violations will be $250.

"We will be enforcing it," said Berwick Police Capt. Jerry Locke.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that nearly 64 percent of teenage passenger vehicle occupants killed in fatal crashes in 2006 were not wearing seat belts.

Locke said Berwick deals with a heightened number of motorists who aren't wearing seat belts because the town borders New Hampshire, which doesn't have a seat belt law of any kind.

"We see a lot of" unbelted motorists," he said.

According to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety, it is estimated this law will save 10 lives and 155 serious injuries.

"The law will also save taxpayers approximately $33 million in medical expenses, lost productivity, property damage and related costs," the press release reads. This information is based on a 9.1 percent increase in seat belt use from the 2006 rate of 77 percent.

In addition to this law, municipalities all over the state and nation can apply for a federal grant through the state to enact "Click it or Ticket" Enforcement Mobilization, which allows police departments to extend hours of patrol to focus on unbuckled motorists day and night.

The program runs from May 19 to June 1. Locke said Berwick has applied for the grant and is waiting to hear back. "We're hoping (all municipalities) choose to" participate, Stewart said.