New Hanover Township Police Department

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania until 1 AM EDT

🚨 CLICK IT OR TICKET 🚨

Once again, we are asking everyone to participate in the incredibly difficult task of… clicking a seat belt.

Officers are actively citing unbuckled drivers and passengers, and ensuring children are secured in the proper car or booster seats. Contrary to popular belief, “they’re fine in the back” and “my dog is watching them” are not approved child restraint systems.

New Jersey’s “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign runs from May 18 through May 31.

New Jersey law requires EVERY occupant, front and back to be buckled up. Seat belt usage for drivers and all front-seat passengers is a PRIMARY offense, meaning officers can stop you for this alone.

That little “ding ding ding” sound your car makes? That’s not your vehicle applauding your driving skills. It’s begging you to put the seat belt on before you become a windshield ornament.

FINES:
The penalty for an unbuckled occupant or driver is a $46 fine.

And before someone types “THIS IS JUST A MONEY GRAB 😡” in all caps from their recliner… the Township only receives $7 of that fine. That won’t even cover a coffee and stale donut, let alone fund the imaginary police yacht people think we’re buying.

Some additional reminders:
Wearing your seat belt under your arm does not count.

Clipping it behind you while sitting on top of it does not count.

Holding the seat belt near your chest when you see a patrol car definitely does not count.

Your friend yelling “COPS!” and everyone scrambling to buckle up at once is always entertaining, though.

Also, if NASCAR drivers willingly strap themselves in before driving 200 mph in circles, you can probably handle wearing one while heading to Wawa.

Seat belts save lives. They also save you from:
• Tickets
• Eating your steering wheel
• Becoming an unexpected passenger in the back seat during a crash
• Having your grandmother say “I told you so” from the hospital room

Buckle up, Every trip, Every time, Even if you’re “just going down the road real quick.