Expect to see more police patrolling next week during seat belt blitz

The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) will kick off a nationwide seatbelt enforcement campaign next Monday.

The “Click It or Ticket” enforcement mobilization will be from November 16 — 29, according to the U.S. DOT. The nationwide effort will increase police patrols on roadways to enforce state seat belt laws.

“Seat belts save lives – but only if they’re worn. Click It or Ticket reminds everyone to wear their seat belt every trip, every time, and officers will be patrolling our roads to enforce these lifesaving laws,” said National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Deputy Administrator James Owens.

The two week seat belt enforcement effort will be kicked off with a “one-day national seat belt awareness event coordinated by participating States” called the “Border to Border Initiative.”

“Seat belts save thousands of lives each year, and the Department’s Click It or Ticket initiative is a critical reminder that drivers should wear a seat belt every time they get behind the wheel,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The enforcement effort will be combined with an $8 million public awareness advertising campaign on television, radio, web, and social media in both English and Spanish running from November 9 — 29.

According to U.S. DOT,iIn 2017, seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives.  From 2013 to 2017, seat belts saved almost 70,000 lives.