Orland Police To Step Up Seat Belt Patrols For Memorial Day Stretch

ORLAND PARK, IL — The Orland Park Police Department will step up enforcement for the Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” campaign running May 19–30, and reminds motorists to buckle up for safety. “Click It or Ticket” leverages education and enforcement to save lives. Officers will be in marked and unmarked police cars enforcing the seat belt laws throughout the day and night.

“Seat belts have proven to be life-saving in the event of a crash,” said Sergeant Bill Sanchez of the Traffic Safety Unit. “Unfortunately, many still don’t buckle up. Worse yet, not wearing a seat belt is a habit that can be passed on to younger generations who see those they look to as their example not using a seat belt.”

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

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. The simple click of a seat belt could save thousands of lives each year.

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