New York Steps Up Patrols, Cracks Down On Seatbelt Violators

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York officials say state police issued tickets to nearly 12,700 motorists during a recent two-week seat belt enforcement campaign.

State troopers joined about 400 local law enforcement agencies during the ``Buckle Up New York'' campaign that began May 21 and ran through June 3. The tickets were issued throughout the state.

Troopers issued a total of 12,692 tickets to motorists or passengers who weren't wearing seat belts. The tickets included more than 800 issued for child restraint violations.

New York State Police have operated Buckle Up New York campaigns twice a year for the past eight years.

During 2011, more than 300,000 tickets were issued statewide to motorists who violated the state's seat belt law, including some 80,000 issued by state police.

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