By Riley Kennedy

Contributing Writer

Law enforcement officials in the state see the new measure requiring back seat passengers in vehicles to wear seat belts as a step to increase traffic safety.

According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, 90% of adults wear seat belts in the front seat, but only 76% wear one in the back of the vehicle.

Nearly 47% of all passenger vehicle occupants who are killed in crashes are unbuckled.

“I have seen what happens when people do not wear their seatbelts,” said Town of Cicero Police Department Sgt. James Snell. “I understand the importance of wearing seat belts in all positions.”

Snell has been a police officer for 12 years and a paramedic for 17 years. He is also the co-chair for the Onondaga County Traffic Safety Board.

If a person does get pulled over and there happens to be a backseat rider with no seatbelt present, the person will receive a $50 ticket alongside a New York State surcharge of $93.

The new seat belt requirement went into effect on Nov. 1.

Previously the law only required people over the age of 16 to wear a seat belt in the front seats. Riders under the age of 16 legally have to wear a seat belt in all seats.

Back in August the bill was passed by the New York State Assembly, the New York State Senate, and eventually signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

According to Assembly Bill A6163, “No person 16 years of age or over shall be a passenger in the back seat of a motor vehicle, unless such person is restrained by a safety belt.”

The Town of Cicero Police Department has been on the lookout for seatbelt checks.

According to Snell, the police department has two seat belt checkpoints.

“We generally must have a checkpoint to catch seatbelt violators since it is difficult to see while the patrol vehicle is moving as well as the violator’s car is moving,” Snell said.

People are typically caught not wearing a seat belt when they are stopped for another violation such as speeding or entering a checkpoint, according to police Chief Steve Rotunno of the Town of Cicero Police Department.

“In Cicero, our patrol vehicles are also Dodge Durangos and we sit a bit higher than the typical vehicle and our visibility is better to see into vehicles,” Rotunno said. “This assists us in seeing motorists that are not buckled up.”

Since it is difficult to catch a person not wearing a seat belt, officers look for a specific object.

“When looking for seatbelt violators we are looking for a small piece of fabric not present,” Snell said.

Rotunno and Snell both agree that educating and encouraging members of the community is the best way to spread the awareness of wearing a seatbelt and the new law.

“By both enforcement efforts such as Buckle Up NY, Social Media and the Onondaga County Traffic Safety Advisory Board in which the Cicero Police are also a member of,” said Rotunno.

As for the rest of New York State, “The New York State Police is currently taking part in the National Click IT or Ticket Campaign lead by the National Highway Traffic Safety Committee, and all division members will be vigilant for seatbelt violations while on patrol as well as the additional Buckle Up checkpoints statewide,” said Theresa Stannard.

Stannard currently serves as a technical sergeant with the New York State Police, and manages the Occupant Protection Program for her division.

The police communities’ main goal is to protect people and save lives by bringing awareness on the importance of wearing seat belts including the new law associated with it.

“Seat belts save lives — buckle up, New York,” Stannard said.