Indiana State Police along with local law enforcement agencies are participating in the national Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign this spring. Through June 6, officers will be out in greater numbers seeking to educate motorists about the importance of wearing a seat belt.
The high-visibility patrols are paid for with funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).
“Part of our job as law enforcement is to educate and that includes reminding drivers and passengers that buckling up isn’t just a suggestion, it’s the law. If these extra patrols wake people up to the dangers of not wearing a seat belt, we’ll consider our mission a success”, said Lieutenant Paul Adams, Indiana State Police-Versailles Post Commander.
Between 2015 and 2019, seat belts have saved more than 69,000 lives in the U.S., according to NHTSA. Despite knowing the benefits, people still refuse to buckle up, a choice that too often can end in tragedy.
Last year, more than 800 people were killed on Indiana roads, of which, 565 occurred in passenger vehicles. Sadly, 364 of those, or 6 out of 10, were not wearing seat belts.
Out of any age group, male drivers, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 34, were the most likely to be found not wearing a seat belt at the time of a crash. Additionally, individuals not wearing seat belts were three times more likely to get injured in a crash when the driver was speeding and seven times more likely when the driver was impaired.
Troopers participating in “Click It or Ticket” will be writing citations and conducting high-visibility patrols during the day but especially at night, when unrestrained driving is at its peak (midnight to 4 a.m.). Under Indiana’s primary seat belt law, officers can stop and cite drivers and passengers just for failing to wear a seat belt.
Drivers can also be cited for each unbuckled passenger under the age of 16, and children under 8 must be properly restrained in a federally approved child or booster seat.
Throughout the campaign, officers will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt enforcement, which means anyone caught not wearing one will receive a citation.
Parents and caregivers can choose the safest car seat for their child by visiting TheRightSeat.com, or to find a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, who can inspect and assist with the installation of a car seat, visit www.childseat.in.gov.
