Oakland County Sheriff deputies from Independence Township were among law enforcement officers around the state participating in the special enforcement of seat belt laws during the ‘Buckle Up or Pay Up, Click It or Ticket? campaign between Aug. 30 and Sept. 12.
Two enforcement zones were set up in Independence Township, according to Lt. Dale LaBair, substation commander. In both cases, four sheriff’s deputies and one Michigan State Police trooper set up warning signs, a spotter location and a check lane, with each operation lasting about four hours.
On Aug. 31, the task force set up on White Lake Road between Dixie Highway and Andersonville Road. Of 33 vehicles stopped, 24 individuals were cited for failing to use seat belts. In addition, one motorist was found to be driving with a suspended license.
On Sept. 9, the crew worked a stretch of Holcomb Road, stopped 46 vehicles and cited 11 people for seat belt violations. In addition, one driver was ticketed for speeding.
LaBair was amazed so many drivers did not fasten their belts after seeing the enforcement zone warning sign.
‘You couldn’t have made this easier,? he said, noting the signs erased any claims of entrapment. ‘The idea is to encourage use, not write tickets.?
According to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, 23,303 citations were issued between Aug. 30 and Sept. 12. Of those, 341 were for improperly buckled children under age four.
OHSP paid for the operation, providing federal traffic safety funds for overtime patrols and advertising to promote awareness of the initiative.
State officials are happy with both the added enforcement and motorist compliance. OHSP officials say Michigan is now the fifth state in the nation, and the first state east of California, to achieve a 90 percent or better compliance with seat belt laws.