Press Release November 20, 2013
This Thanksgiving, Buckle Up or Pay Up… Click It or Ticket It Cracking Down on Seat Belt Violations
Clearcreek Township, OH
The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and to help save lives on our roadways, the Clearcreek Township Police Department will be teaming with other state and local law enforcement officers across the country to crack down on seat belt violations. During the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday period, 249 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. Fifty percent of those killed were not wearing seat belts. “You will see us out in force during the long weekend, and we’ll be showing zero tolerance for anyone who is not wearing a seatbelt. Our goal is simple: to strictly enforce the law in order to save more lives,” said Sgt. Wally Stacy. “If you are caught not wearing your seat belt, you will be ticketed.” According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts saved almost 12,000 lives nationwide in 2011. In fact, research shows that with proper seat belt use, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent. Yet, too many people are still not getting the message. In 2011, 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle crashes did NOT wear seat belts at the time of the crash. “Whether you’re traveling across the country or just across town, one of the best ways to ensure a safe arrival is to always buckle up. Yet too many motorists still need a tough reminder to buckle up,” said Sgt. Stacy. “It’s a simple step that each of us can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones, but if you break the law and are caught not wearing your seat belt, you will face the consequences.” With the help of highway safety advocates and local law enforcement officers across the country, we can increase seat belt use and save lives on our roadways. Don’t risk it on the road this Thanksgiving. Wear your seat belt so you can spend the holidays celebrating with your loved ones and not worrying about the cost of a ticket. Remember: Click It or Ticket. For more information about traveling safely during Thanksgiving, please visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov