(Area) – The annual two-week long “Click it or Ticket” campaign is underway throughout the state of Michigan.
Deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement officers statewide will be stepping up efforts to enforce seat belt laws to increase seat belt use and save lives.
According to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, 196 people who were killed in car crashes during 2016 were not wearing seat belts. Using a seat belt reduces the risk of injury or death in a crash by 45 percent.
“While vehicles have increased in safety features, such as air bags, seat belts are still the primary safety device,” said Sheriff Tim Donnellon. “We will have extra patrols out over the Memorial Day Holiday enforcing the seat belt laws in an effort to reduce serious injuries and deaths to motorists in out county.”
During the 2016 Memorial Day holiday, six people died in traffic crashes.
Michigan law requires drivers, front seat passengers and passengers 15 and younger in any seating position to be buckled up. Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4’9” tall. Children under 4 years of age must be in the back seat.
The “Click it or Ticket” campaign runs through June 4th. Anyone caught not wearing or improperly wearing a seat belt will be issued a citation, with a fine of $65.
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning is coordinating the effort which is supported by federal traffic safety funds.
