PennDOT Urges TE Drivers to 'Click it or Ticket'

The upcoming Memorial Day holiday means the highways are about to be filled with families on their way to vacation or barbecues. PennDOT, state and local police want to make sure everybody gets to their destinations safely and in one piece by partnering with the nationwide “Click It or Ticket” seat-belt enforcement campaign running through May 31.

The enforcement involves more than 500 state and municipal law enforcement agencies across the eastern seaboard, conducting increased enforcement at state borders to emphasize police focus on seat belt usage. In Pennsylvania, the fine for not wearing a seat belt is $75, on top of any other traffic violations. Police will also be checking for proper use of child car seats and restraints.

Throughout the Click It or Ticket mobilization, enforcement will focus largely on nighttime operations, using Traffic Enforcement Zones and roving patrols on roadways identified as having higher unbelted crash rates.

“Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still driving unbuckled,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “PennDOT wants to make the roads as safe as possible, especially at night when crash risk increases. We urge the public to join us in this mission to decrease these crashes.

According to PennDOT data, unrestrained fatalities dropped from 425 in 2013 to 383 in 2014. The statewide number of crashes in which people were not wearing seat belts also decreased to 13,627, compared to 14,436 in 2013.

Motorists are reminded that Pennsylvania’s primary seat-belt law requires drivers and passengers under 18 years old to buckle up, and children under the age of four must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children ages 4 to 8 must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat. In addition, children ages 8 to 18 must be must be in a seat belt when riding anywhere in the vehicle.

Also, drivers and front-seat passengers 18 years-old or older are required to buckle up. If motorists are stopped for a traffic violation and are not wearing their seat belt, they can receive a second ticket and second fine.