WATERVILLE – Eighty-five Maine police departments have begun a two-week campaign to convince motorists to use their safety belts. The “Buckle Up – No Excuses” campaign was announced at a news conference at Inland Hospital.

The effort coincides with a three-week radio buy in which $130,000 in federal funds are being spent at Maine radio stations to air a 30-second public service announcement. This is the second year Maine has taken part in the program.

The ad campaign began May 16 and the enforcement effort began May 23 as part of a national program, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than 12,000 police agencies in 50 states are taking part.

Maine Commissioner of Public Safety Michael P. Cantara said, “Safety belt usage in Maine has been one of the lowest in the country and the goal of this public education effort is to save lives, reduce injuries and improve our ranking.”

Maine’s safety belt usage in 2002 was 59 percent. That compliance number jumped to 72.3 percent following last year’s campaign. The national average is 80 percent. The commissioner said the worst offenders in Maine are men between the ages of 18 and 34,and adults over the age of 60.

Cantara said law enforcement officers from the 85 local, county and state police agencies will step up enforcement efforts over the next two weeks utilizing federal funds to pay for the officers’ overtime.

The commissioner said 55 percent of those killed in passenger vehicles on Maine roads in the past decade were not using safety belts. The fine is $65.

The following area agencies are taking part: State Police, Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin and Oxford sheriff’s departments and the following area towns and cities:

Auburn, Augusta, Bethel, Brunswick, Dixfield, Farmington, Freeport, Fryeburg, Gardiner, Gorham, Hallowell, Lewiston, Lisbon, Madison, Mechanic Falls, Mexico, Norway, Oxford, Paris, Rumford, Topsham, Windham and Winthrop.