Zero tolerance for ‘Click-it or Ticket’ campaign in
full force thru June 1
‘Aggressive enforcement’ of the seatbelt law is sweeping
over California’s roadways through June 1, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s
Department says in a press release on California’s ‘Click it or Ticket’
mobilization. The program kicked-off on May 12.
The campaign relies on heavy enforcement to have
California achieve the highest seatbelt use rate in the nation. California
currently has the nation’s fourth highest seatbelt use rate, at 94.6 percent,
according to Sergeant Alex Tipolt, public information officer for the sheriff’s
department.
“We want to make sure that all drivers and passengers
buckle up on every ride, day and night. Our officers will be on the lookout for
those who are not buckled up and for teens and children not riding properly restrained.
We will not accept excuses or give warnings,” says Sheriff’s Department
Lieutenant Eric Koopmans. “It’s Click-it – or Ticket.”
Tickets for the first seatbelt violation range from
$80-91 for adults and $330-401 for children under age 16 (the fines vary by
county.) California requires that every passenger and the driver wear a
seatbelt at all times. If stopped, law enforcement will issue tickets without
warning.
“We’re doing
well with nearly 95 percent buckling up, and are fourth highest in the nation.
That’s 1.5 million more people protected from death and injury since the
campaign started in 2005 – but we can do better yet,” says director of
the California Office on Traffic Safety Christopher J. Murphy.
While the buckle-up rate for adults has continued to
climb in recent years, California’s teen seat belt use rate was 88.9 percent
last year, a rate the department hopes to improve with this campaign and public
awareness.