State Police To Step Up Seatbelt Enforcement

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Police throughout New York state are cracking down on motorists who fail to buckle up as part of a national seat belt enforcement campaign.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday that the stepped-up enforcement will be in effect from today through Sunday, May 31.

During the initiative, state and local police will be aggressively enforcing state seatbelt laws. In addition, the state will set up message boards alongside highways to encourage drivers and their passengers to obey the law.

Cuomo's office says that 91 percent of New York motorists regularly use a seatbelt, which is higher than the national average. Nevertheless, Cuomo's office says there's more work to do.

New York adopted the nation's first law requiring seatbelt use in the front seat.