The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging drivers to buckle up during the national Click It or Ticket high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort.
This year’s national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs from May 20 to June 2.
Quakenbush
“We want seat belt use to be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike,” Hamilton County Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush said. “It’s not just a safe thing to do – it’s the law. During the Click It or Ticket campaign, we’ll be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across local and state lines to ensure the message gets out to drivers and passengers. Buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to limit injury or save your life during a crash. We see the results of not wearing a seat belt all the time. We see the loss of life. So often, it could have been prevented.”
The national seat belt use rate in 2023 was 91.9 percent, which is good – but it can be better. The other 8.1 percent still need to be reminded that seat belts save lives. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.
One of the focuses of the Click It or Ticket campaign is nighttime enforcement. NHTSA data shows a higher number of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities happen at night. Also, seat belt use differs among females and males. Of the males killed in crashes in 2021, more than half (54 percent) were unrestrained. For females killed in crashes, 42 percent were not buckled up.
“The success of our mission hinges on raising awareness about the perils of driving without proper restraint,” Sheriff Quakenbush said. “If you notice a friend or family member who doesn’t buckle up when driving, please urge them to change their habits. Let’s work together to spread this vital message and prevent further tragedies. Remember, seat belts save lives, and it’s essential for everyone, regardless of age or seating position, to always buckle up.”
To learn more about Hamilton County Traffic Safety Partnership, go to hamiltoncounty.in.gov/502/Traffic-Safety.