The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) partners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign in time for the long Memorial Day holiday. From May 21 to June 3 officers will be out in force across the country and Florida to help save lives by cracking down on those who do not buckle up.
According to the press release, safety belt use saves thousands of lives across America each year. The FHP is helping to spread that message in Florida.
The NHTSA statistics show that safety belts saved an estimated 12,546 lives nationwide in 2010 alone. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that wearing a seat belt is the most effective way to prevent death and serious injury in a crash. The CDC reports that seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45 percent, and cut the risk of serious injury by 50 percent.
Col. David Brierton, FHP Director, stated that while the state of Florida reached a record high for safety belt use last year, there are still many drivers and passengers who do not buckle up. Among their goals is saving lives through both education and enforcement campaigns, such as “Click it or Ticket.”
Florida is one of 31 states with a primary enforcement seatbelt law. This means law enforcement officers can pull over a driver if the driver or front seat passenger is not wearing a seat belt. In addition, anyone under the age of 17 must be in a proper safety restraint.
IHS Global Insight and AAA approximate that during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, 34.8 million travelers will travel at least 50 miles from home. For the South Atlantic region, which includes Florida, AAA estimates 10.7 of the population will travel during the holiday.
The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates 420 people will die in automobile accidents nationwide over the 2012 Memorial Day weekend. The NSC further estimates there will be 42,000 accident-related injuries during the holiday period.
In addition to encouraging seat belt use, our Treasure Coast car accident attorneys encourage all drivers to drive sober, stay focused on the road and eliminate distractions, and drive defensively. Take the time to get to your destination and arrive safely so you and your family can enjoy your Memorial Day vacation.
Contact a Florida Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Florida due to the carelessness or negligence of another driver, immediately seek experienced counsel. I am attorney Philip DeBerard. I have three decades of legal experience representing people injured in car accidents and other personal injury claims.
The law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, represents victims of car accidents and automobile crashes in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Jupiter, Stuart, Okeechobee, Vero Beach and Palm Beach. If character traits such as integrity, dedication and compassion are what you seek in an accident lawyer, call Philip DeBerard. Choosing the right accident lawyer does make a difference.
Call 1-800-299-8878 to speak with a Florida car accident attorney or fill out our online contact form.
