Memorial Day 'Click It Or Ticket' Campaign Begins In Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, IL — The Plainfield 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 are taking "a no-excuse approach, issuing citations day and night."

The initiative aims to boost compliance with seat belt laws, specifically at night when fatalities as a result of crashes are the highest. In 2023, 72 percent of male passengers were killed in crashes compared to women's 28 percent, 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.

"Seat belt use should be an automatic habit for everyone," Sgt. Dino Dabezic said in a statement. "It's not just safe; it's the law. During this campaign, law enforcement agencies will be working together to ensure the message reaches all drivers and passengers. Buckling up is the simplest way to reduce injury or save a life in a crash."