Police Remind Motorists to Click It or Ticket

Driving without buckling up can not only be unsafe, but carry steep fines.

The is joining other state and local law enforcement officers in the Click it or Ticket campaign starting May 21 to June 3.

Seat belts are credited to saving lives on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2010, across the nation, 61 percent of the 10,647 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes overnight were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crash, compared to 42 percent during the daytime hours.

“Too many drivers and passengers on the road at night are not wearing their seat belts, and it all too often ends in tragedy,” said Captain Tim Staab in a press statement. “Our goal is to save more lives, so the Glendora Police Department will be out enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.”

NHTSA statistics show that in 2010, seat belts saved an estimated 12,546 lives nationwide.

Yet, too many motorists may need a tough reminder. In 2010, 22,187 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle crashes, according to NHTSA, and 51 percent of them were not wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes.

The numbers also show younger motorists and men are particularly at risk. Data shows that among teen and young adult passenger vehicle occupants in 2010, ages 18-34, who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, 62 percent were not buckled up at the time of the crash – the highest percentage of any age group. The number jumps to 66 percent when just men in this age group are included.

Tickets for driving unbuckled are costly with the total costs of a first time ticket at least $142.