Click it or Ticket Campaign

Law Enforcement from the Eastern Shore Launches National Click it or Ticket Campaign

On May 19 at 10am at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, representatives from Law Enforcement Agencies from across Delmarva will gather to kick off the National Click it or Ticket Campaign to increase seat belt usage. Law Enforcement agencies from Queen Anne's County to Somerset County will show their support for saving lives.

Statistics prove that the most effective way to reduce deaths and injuries on our Nation's highways is to increase seat belt use in the daytime as well as at night. As a matter of fact, an estimated 15,383 lives were saved last year simply by buckling up.

But unfortunately, too many motorists still need a tough reminder. That's why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is encouraging all States and local law enforcement agencies and highway safety officials to join the annual Click It or Ticket mobilization campaign which runs from May 19th to June 1st. The campaign will renew its emphasis on day and night enforcement as well as young drivers.

What's so alarming is that motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds in America. In fact, of the total fatalities in 2006, 5,130 were passenger vehicle occupants between the ages of 15 and 20, and 64 percent of those killed were NOT wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crash. That's why law enforcement officers will be working overtime to crack down on all young drivers who are not buckling up.

Research shows that high-visibility enforcement campaigns work. This year, the campaign across the Eastern Shore, will step-up law enforcement activities and will have officers out on the streets around the clock to enforce seat belt laws and save lives.

When worn correctly, seat belts have proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent, and by 60 percent in pickup trucks, SUVs, and minivans.

So unless you want to risk a ticket, or worse your life, please remember to buckle up day and night. Click It or Ticket.

For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/link/ciot.htm.