UB Police once again will mark the spring season by stepping up attention to seat belt compliance on campus, patrolling campus roadways and setting up checkpoints.

Support from a Buckle Up New York grant enables UB Police to begin seat belt enforcement March 29 through April 19, according to Lt. Scott Bixby.

Seat belt checkpoints will be in place on Augspurger Road at Hadley Road and on Flint Road at Maple Road during peak traffic times.

University Police want all drivers on campus to wear their seat belts whenever their cars are in motion, Bixby says. As the spring semester winds down, officers will actively enforce New York State seat belt laws on campus.

“Statistics show that seat belts save lives,” Bixby says. “No trip is too short to skip the seatbelt, even if you’re just changing parking lots between classes or driving from your on-campus dorm or apartment. Be safe and buckle up.

“And remember,” he says, “click it or ticket.”

Traffic accidents on campus are common, police say, so motorists should take the same precautions they do on highways, especially the use of seat belts.

The state’s Selective Traffic Enforcement program also funds UB Police’s effort to curtail dangerous and negligent driving, with a focus on cell phone use and texting while driving. Roadside surveillance will watch for the use of cell phones and other devices that can distract drivers.

“Distracted driving continues to be the leading cause of crashes in New York State and Erie County,” says Bixby. “We want UB students, faculty, staff and visitors to be safe, so please don’t use your phone or electronic device while driving.”

Bixby stresses that a driver caught with an electronic device in hand — even if not in use — could be charged with a distracted driving violation.

“Motorists should know that accessing any electronic data while driving is illegal,” he says.

“Please, if you need to make a call or send a message, proceed to a safe location and stop your vehicle.”