FARMINGTON – Police in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties have been awarded more than $20,000 to conduct seat belt education and enforcement campaigns through the Memorial Day weekend.

Starting this year, police can use a seat belt violation as a primary reason to make a traffic.

Nearly 50 percent of people killed in passenger vehicles accidents in Maine in 2006 were not wearing a seat belt. So far this year, that figure is holding steady, police say.

The national program, “Click It or Ticket,” will prompt stepped-up law enforcement of seat belt laws over the weekend. The program runs through June 3 and is being supported by funding from the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety.

Farmington Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department have joined several police agencies around the state that are involved in an aggressive crackdown on seat belt use to reduce highway fatalities.

“In a far greater percentage of accidents, the use of seat belts can be the difference between life and death,” said Franklin County Sheriff Dennis Pike. “With single and multiple vehicle accidents, the biggest problem (without seat belts) is being thrown out and having the vehicle roll over and crush riders.”

In 2006, there were 135 car accident fatalities; 65 of victims, or 48 percent, were not wearing a seat belt, according to the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. So far in 2007, there have been 52 total highway fatalities, 47 were passenger motor vehicles and 24 of those, or 51 percent, were not wearing seat belts, bureau records show.

“Until April of 2008, anyone stopped for another violation can be charged,” Pike said. “After 2008, lack of a seat belt is grounds within itself for a traffic stop.”

The fine for first-time offenders will be $50, the fine for a second offense jumps to $125, for third and subsequent offenses the fine is set at $250.

Farmington police Lt. Jack Peck said in his 23 year’s experience, personal injury accidents that would appear to be fatals were not when people were wearing restraints. He also felt that people are wearing them more than they did before.

“Excuses like ‘I forgot’ or ‘I’m 78 and have arthritis’ won’t work,” said Pike. “Sometimes change is difficult, but if people make the effort and say they are going to obey and hook up, within a short period of time, they’ll feel uncomfortable or naked without it.”