Local Police Enforce Click It or Ticket Campaign

A busy season of barbecues, graduation parties and trips Up North is about to kick off and in anticipation, the national Click It or Ticket campaign starts Monday.

Officers from more than 200 Michigan law enforcement agencies will work to enforce the state's seat belt law, which requires all drivers, as well as passengers in the front seat or who are 15 or younger, to buckle up. The campaign ends June 5.

"Michigan has a primary seat belt law, which means law enforcement can stop and ticket motorists solely for not being buckled up," according to the Michigan State Police website.

The law also says children must ride in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4'9" tall, whichever comes first. Those who do not comply could face a $65 fine.

Chief Tim Wiley said officers are always on watch for seat belt use, but this campaign brings heightened awareness.

"They've been keeping themselves busy with that campaign so far," Wiley said.

Some people fail to understand that when they are inside a car, passengers are also traveling at the same rate of speed as their vehicle. That means when the vehicle comes to a stop, a seat belt will prevent their bodies from moving at that pace.

"First and foremost, it keeps you in the vehicle. It prevents you from becoming a projectile," he said.

Chief Bruce Smith said that he's seen many fatal crashes that could have been prevented if seat belts were worn.

"I'm a big proponent that seat belts save lives," Smith said.