Statement from Alliance President & CEO Dave McCurdy on National Click It or Ticket Campaign

WASHINGTON, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement was released today by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers:

"We all have a role to play in making roads safer, and drivers can do their part by making sure everyone in their vehicle follows the law and buckles up.  The national safety belt use rate stands at a record 84 percent – but many states have use rates above 90 percent, so we know we can do better.  

"The Click It or Ticket campaign by NHTSA, states, law enforcement and many other partners is an invaluable tool in increasing safety belt use, calling attention to state occupant protection laws and spreading the word that belt use is critical to safety.

"The numbers show the progress in making roads safer.  In fact, 2009's projected traffic safety figure is the lowest in more than 50 years.  What's even more remarkable is that during roughly the same period, the number of licensed drivers more than doubled and the amount of Vehicle Miles Traveled quadrupled.  

"Safety belts are still the most important safety feature in any vehicle.  The auto industry has been in the forefront of efforts to pass stronger belt use requirements in individual states, and we will continue those efforts until all states have primary enforcement laws.  These laws are needed to assure that high-visibility enforcement initiatives like Click It or Ticket can be even more successful, with more lives saved and more injuries prevented."

SOURCE Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers