Orland PD Ramps Up Patrols For Seat Belt Use In Memorial Day Stretch

ORLAND PARK, IL — The Orland Park Police Department will step up patrols for its Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” campaign, running now through Memorial Day weekend. Police will be in marked and unmarked police cars enforcing the seat belt laws throughout the day and night.

"We want the act of buckling up to become automatic to all drivers and passengers, whether you’re driving around the corner or across the nation," said Orland Park Police Chief Eric Rossi. "'Click It or Ticket' isn’t about citations—it’s about saving lives. Wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent. Seat belts save lives every day, but they’re only effective if they’re used."

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, a popular time for traveling to visit family and friends. Whether traveling down the block or across the country, drivers are encouraged to buckle up every time.

While Illinois currently has a 93 percent seat belt use compliance rate, unbelted occupants still account for more than half of those killed in motor vehicle crashes. In 2022, Illinois had 300 fatalities involving unrestrained passengers. The simple click of a seat belt could save thousands of lives each year, police said.

The "Click It or Ticket" campaign is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation with federal highway safety funds.