Memorial Day 'Click It Or Ticket' Campaign Underway In Oswego

OSWEGO, IL — The Oswego Police Department is in the midst of a "Click It or Ticket" campaign in light of Memorial Day.

During the high-visibility enforcement effort, which began May 16 and is running through May 27, officers aim to curb seat belt law violations and impaired driving.

The campaign precedes the "100 deadliest days of summer," a period marked by an increase in fatalities between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Last year, Illinois saw 18 crashes and 19 deaths during that timeframe, Oswego officials said.

Illinois' seat belt law is now 40 years old, and officials said it has helped raise usage from 15.9 percent in 1985 to 92.4 percent in 2024, saving an estimated 20,823 lives in the state.

"Before you head out this Memorial Day weekend, make sure everyone in your vehicle, front seat or back, is properly buckled up," police spokesperson Cathy Nevara said in a statement. "Seat belts are your best protection in a crash, and in Illinois, wearing one isn't just smart, it’s the law."

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