Summer motoring weather has arrived and police are vowing to do their best to keep it safe.

At a Tuesday news conference called "Booze and Belts," hosted by the Tamaqua Police Department, local and state police outlined steps underway to protect motorists and the public.The crackdown on drunken, impaired and distracted driving is taking place now on Pennsylvania roads, coupled with "Buckle Up PA," a statewide seat-belt enforcement campaign, part of a national program."Law enforcement agencies will conduct operations hoping to send a zero-tolerance message to the public," said Tamaqua Chief Rick Weaver."Driving or riding unbuckled is unacceptable and will result in a ticket, no matter what."Pennsylvania is one of 16 states and Ontario, Canada, to participate in a Border-to-Border seat belt initiative running now through June 7."Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still driving unbuckled," said PennDOT secretary Leslie S. Richards."PennDOT wants to make the roads as safe as possible, especially at night when crash risk increases."David R. Everly, sobriety checkpoint coordinator, North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program, said the statistics are significant."Last year, 381 were killed in drinking or related accidents and crashes in Pennsylvania," Everly said.The news conference also announced collaboration for "Click It or Ticket," a seat belt enforcement initiative from May 18 to May 31.The program includes PennDOT, Buckle Up PA, The North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program, and police from Tamaqua, Butler Township, Rush Township and state police.Motorists are reminded that Pennsylvania's primary seat belt law requires drivers and passengers under 18 years old to buckle up, and children under age 4 to be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat.Children ages 4 to 8 must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat. In addition, children ages 8 to 18 must be in a seat belt when riding anywhere in a vehicle.Drivers and front-seat passengers 18 years old and older are required to buckle up. If motorists are stopped for a traffic violation and are not wearing a seat belt, they can receive a second ticket and second fine."Our concern is your safety," said Weaver."Remember, seat belts save lives, and that life may be yours or a loved one. As a final note, distracted driving, such as using a cellphone or texting, is becoming a serious problem everywhere."Carole Alonge, project coordinator, said the newly launched safety initiatives need a buy-in from everyone."We want to make this important to everybody. The best defense so that you're not injured in a crash is to wear a seat belt."Taking part in the announcement were: state trooper Joe O'Donnell of the North Central Highway Safety Network; Sgt. Duane Frederick, Rush Township Police; officer Brian Getz, West Penn Township Police; and Robert Webre, Allentown, law enforcement liaison for Buckle Up Pa and the Aggressive Driving Enforcement and Education Program.