EMPHASIZING THAT wearing a seatbelt helps to save lives, the Office of the Ocean County Sheriff will be taking part in the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety grant funded Click It or Ticket Program starting May 24.

"The New Jersey seatbelt law requires all motor vehicle passengers in the front and back seats to buckle up," said Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy. "A police officer may stop a vehicle and issue a summons for violations of this law.

"Wearing a seatbelt, regardless of seating position, increases your chances of surviving a crash by as much as 75 percent," he said. "This is an important step in keeping with safe driving."
The campaign will run in Ocean County from May 24 until June 6 and will consist of countywide targeted patrols to enforce seatbelt laws.

"As we approach the summer season we see the number of people in Ocean County more than double," said Ocean County Commissioner John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. "Wearing your seatbelt is just one simple step you can take to make traveling safer for you and your loved ones."

Ocean County has more than 618 miles of county roads, the largest county road network in the state.

In 2020, according to Numetric crash tool, Ocean County had 122 crashes that involved an unrestrained occupant. Of those 122 crashes, 66 had injuries involved and six tragically ended in death.

"Using seatbelts saves lives and reduces serious injuries," said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Gary Quinn. "I commend the Sheriff and his officers as they take part in the national Click It or Ticket grant program in order to deter drivers from being unrestrained while operating a motor vehicle in the County."