As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office urges everyone to buckle up. Beginning May 15th, sheriff’s deputies will be taking part in the 2017 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization.
“As we kick-off the busy summer driving season, it is critical that everyone buckles up day and night – no excuses,” said Sheriff Mark Curran.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will join law enforcement agencies across the United States in mobilizing the Click It or Ticket “Border to Border” Operation.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 9,874 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2015 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. Unbelted fatalities are more prevalent at night than during the daytime: 51 percent of those killed in 2015 during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. were unbelted at the time of the crash.
“Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater,” said Sheriff Curran. “We want everyone to be safe while riding in a vehicle. Buckling up is not optional; it’s the difference between life and death in a crash.”
From 1975 through 2015, seat belts have saved an estimated 344,447 lives nationwide. While this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 15 – May 30, sheriff’s deputies will continue to save lives by enforcing seat belt laws year-round.
For more on the national Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.