Buckle Up Pennsylvania

Buckle Up PA is a project funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation dedicated to raising the seat belt usage level in Pennsylvania through increased enforcement, public awareness and education. The partnership is comprised of municipal police departments, the Pennsylvania State Police, PennDOT, the US Department of Transportation and community groups and organizations.

Seat Belt Enforcement Areas

Buckle Up PA In Action

Educational Program Training for PSP

Posted By: Lindsay Deppen on 6 March

Six Perry County State Troopers were trained in Survival 101 and Sixteen Minutes traffic safety educational programs. The class took place on March 3 at the Newport PA State Police Station and was instructed by Area 2 LEL Lindsay Deppen.

Area 2 Publicity

Posted By: Lindsay Deppen on 6 March

Attached is a recent story from the Chambersburg Public Opinion. Headline: U.S. 30, Pa. 16 tops in crashes.

The article focuses on the high rate of crashes on Rt. 30 in Franklin County. This highway has seen a 20 percent increase in crashes in the past 5 years. It also credits Aggressive Driving enforcement as a cause for fewer overall crashes in Pennsylvania.

Educational Program Training at Derry Twp PD

Posted By: James Marsh on 6 March

A training class was held recently the at Derry Twp PD in Westmoreland County for all three Buckle Up PA education classes. Officer Bridge is a new SRO officer for Derry Twp and instructs in the local schools there.

The Back Is Where It's At in Area 2

Posted By: Lindsay Deppen on 18 February

The Back Is Where It´s At programs were conducted recently in Sullivan County elementary schools (Laporte & Turnpike) and at Shady Grove Christian school in Mifflinburg.

The Back Is Where It's At in Area 6

Posted By: James Marsh on 18 February

The Back Is Where It´s At programs continue for elementary school students in Westmoreland and Washinton counties.

Survival 101 in Blair County

Posted By: Alan Puccetti on 18 February

Tpr. Jeff Petucci of the Hollidaysburg (Blair County) Barracks, presented a Survival 101 programs to the Driver Ed classes at Tyrone High School. The presentations took place on 1/28/10 & 1/29/10. Tpr. Petucci presented four classes each day and a total of 135 students were presented with the program.

16 Minutes in Mercer County

Posted By: John Conti on 29 January

Patrolman Mark A. Jaskowak, from the Grove City Police Department (Mercer County), presenting the BUPA 16 Minutes program to several students at the Grove City High School.

The Back Is Where It's At in Area 2

Posted By: Lindsay Deppen on 26 January

The Back Is Where It´s At educational programs for elementary school students are in full force across Area 3. The attached picture shows a presentation by Officer Brad Sharrow of the Bloomsburg PD to students at Saint Columba Catholic School in Bloomsburg.

Survival 101 and 16 Minutes presentations also are being held throughout the Area.

Area 1 Educational Education Program Instructor Training

Posted By: Gordon Beck on 24 January

Date: February 15th

Time: 1000-1200 hours

Where: COAD 930 E. Lancaster Ave (Business Rt. 30) Exton PA 19341

What: Education Training Program for Police Officers in Survival 101, Sixteen Minutes and “Back Is Where Its At”

Who: Interested officers should contact Lori Aguilera Chester County CTSP at 610-363-8701 or Gordon Beck.

Survival 101 Presentation in Washington County

Posted By: James Marsh on 20 January

Sgt Dave Richards from North Strabane Twp PD in Washington County recently gave a Survival 101 presentation to students from Cannon MacMillian High School.

Area 6 Trunk Sign Publicity

Posted By: James Marsh on 6 January

The attached file is a press clipping from a Observer-Reporter article about trunk signs for cruisers. Call LEL Jim Marsh for more information about trunk signs.

Observer-Reporter Article
1.94 Meg | 1/6/2010

Area 5 Publicity

Posted By: John Conti on 6 January

Region 5 had some good publicity for 2009 Operation Safe Holiday activities. View the attached PDF for press clippings.

Operation Safe Holiday Publicity
Articles from the Erie Times, and Warren Times Observer.
6.96 Meg | 1/6/2010

Area 5 Survival 101 Trainings

A Survival 101 class was held at the Perseus House School of Excellence in Erie County for 75 students in December. PSP Troopers Greenlee, Brown and Stevic presented the program. Police training to present these programs to students can be scheduled by contacting LEL John Conti.

Youth Traffic Safety Mock Hearings

On Monday, December 14th students from high schools in Washington and Greene Counties marched into the Court Room of Magisterial District Jay Weller ...

Crash LELs Help Departments

Posted By: John Conti on 16 December

Crash LELs are helping departments to make the transition from paper to electronic crash reporting.

In this photo, Crash LEL Jim Guffey delivers and sets up a new Crash Reporting computer at Sugarcreek PD (Venango Co) while Lt. Ryan Ashbaugh looks on.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation,

Our Current Focus

Click It or Ticket Mobilization

The next statewide Click It or Ticket mobilization will take place May 24 - June 13, 2010.

Pennsylvania Highway Safety Calendar of Events

2009/10 Calendar of Events
234.28 K | 3/1/2010

Pennsylvania's Occupant Protection Laws

Seat Belt Laws

Primary Enforcement

Section 4581 (a)(3) Restraint Systems

A driver who is under 18 may not operate a motor vehicle in which the number of passengers exceeds the number of available seat belts in the vehicle. (Primary)

FINE: $10.00 plus CAT, EMS, and JCP- no court costs assessed.

Secondary Enforcement

Section 4581 (a)(2) Restraint Systems

Driver and all front seat passengers must be restrained.
Drivers are responsible for themselves and to secure all children from 8 years of age up to 18 years of age in a seat belt system any where in the vehicle.
Exemptions include carriers of medical or psychological excuses signed by a physician, rural letter carriers, deliverers of goods or service vehicle operators driving at speeds less than 15 mph and making frequent stops, drivers, and front seat passengers of automobiles manufactured before July 1, 1966.

FINE: $10.00 plus CAT, EMS and JCP when convicted of a primary offense.

Child Passenger Safety Laws

Primary Enforcement

Section 4581 (a)(1) Restraint Systems

All drivers are responsible to secure children from birth to age 4 in an approved child passenger restraint system.

FINE: Maximum fine of $100.00 plus court costs, CAT, EMS, JCP or proof of car seat purchase.

Secondary Enforcement

Section 4581 (a)(1.l)

All drivers are responsible to secure children from 4 years of age up to 8 years of age in a seat belt system and an appropriately fitting child booster seat.
Exemptions are allowed under the law.

Guidelines have been prepared by the Department of Transportation to provide guidance for exemptions for Section 4581 (a)(1.1).
A copy of the guidelines can be obtained from 1-800-CAR BELT.
FINE: Failure to comply with the provisions in 4581 (a)(1.1) shall be guilty of a summary offense with a maximum fine of $100.00 plus CAT, EMS, JCP or proof of car seat purchase.