VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Vincennes Police Department have joined the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) national Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement effort.
The national seat belt campaign runs from May 15 to June 4.
“We want seat belt use to be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike,” said Vincennes Police Department Lt. Kern. “It’s not just a safe thing to do — it’s the law. During the Click It or Ticket campaign, we’ll be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across local and state lines to ensure the message gets out to drivers and passengers. Buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to limit injury or save your life during a crash. We see the results of not wearing a seat belt all the time. We see the loss of life. So often, it could have been prevented.”
Data from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute shows that unbuckled motorists make up almost 40% of all passenger vehicle deaths in the state. Since the “Click It or Ticket” initiative began more than 20 years ago, seat belt use has gone up over 30% in Indiana to 93%, which remains higher than the national average of 91.6%.
During the campaign, law enforcement will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement. Drivers can be cited for lack of seat belt use and for each unbuckled passenger under the age of 16.
Research has shown buckling up can reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash by up to 65%. Without a seat belt fastened, people can be ejected from a vehicle and killed. That risk increases if the driver is speeding or impaired.
Unfortunately, vehicle crashes continue to be a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. NHTSA data shows that approximately 46% of all car seats are being used incorrectly. Adults who do not use the seat belt are more likely to have kids who are improperly restrained.
“The loss of a child due to inadequate vehicle safety measures is a tragedy. However, it is also preventable,” said Jim Bryan, ICJI Traffic Safety Director. “We owe it to our children to prioritize their safety and take every necessary precaution when it comes to their well-being.”
Indiana law requires the driver and all passengers to buckle up. Children under the age of eight must be properly restrained in a child car seat or booster seat according to the child restraint system manufacturer’s instructions.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to make sure children are in the right car seat and that it’s properly installed.
Resources can be found at www.nhtsa.gov/TheRightSeat. To schedule an appointment with a certified car seat safety technician at one of Indiana’s fitting stations, visit on.in.gov/SafeKids. For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit NHTSA.gov/ciot.
