Grayslake Police: Buckle Up and Stay Safe Over Thanksgiving Holiday

With the holidays upon us, the Grayslake Police Department warns that whether you are traveling across town or across the state, if you or anyone in your vehicle is unbelted, you run the risk of getting an unwelcome gift from law enforcement. As of Jan. 1, 2012, everyone, no matter the age or seating position, is required to wear a safety belt.

The Grayslake Police Department, in their continued efforts to promote traffic safety, will be participating in the Click It or Ticket Thanksgiving Holiday Campaign. Click It or Ticket is a two-week campaign focusing on seat belt use from Nov. 18 through Dec. 1.

The Illinois Department of Transportation's Division of Traffic Safety is proud that Illinois has a 93.7 percent safety belt usage rate. However, far too many drivers and passengers still do not buckle up. In Illinois, during the Thanksgiving holiday period in 2012, more than 700 individuals were injured and nine vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle traffic crashes.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show that those least likely to buckle up are teens, young adults, males, motorists traveling on rural roads and individuals traveling in pickup trucks, especially during the late night hours. Data shows late-night hours are when the highest percentage of motorists die in alcohol-involved crashes and the lowest percentage of vehicle occupants are properly restrained.

Changing public attitudes regarding the non-use of safety belts and child safety seats will save many lives. It has been shown that visible enforcement programs focusing on these violations offer the greatest potential for changing these behaviors. If you fail to buckle up during this holiday period, you run the risk of getting a ticket, or worse, being injured or killed. The same applies when you have been drinking and choose to drive.

The Grayslake Police Department will be increasing their patrols in participation of this event to promote the following goals:

• To reduce the number of severe injury and fatal traffic crashes;
• To increase enforcement of occupant restraint, impaired driving and speed laws;
• And to achieve a higher use of safety belts, child safety seats and booster seats.