The Southfield Police Department (SPD) is reminding drivers of the importance of seat belt use. This annual campaign is part of the national Click It or Ticket high-visibility law enforcement initiative. The Click It or Ticket campaign will run from Thursday, October 17 through Thursday, October 31, 2019. The goal of the national seat belt campaign is to educate the community and reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

"During the Click It or Ticket campaign, the SPD will be partnering with our fellow law enforcement agencies across the state to encourage motorists and their passengers to buckle up," said Chief of Police Elvin Barren. "We cannot overstate the importance of wearing a seat belt. It's the law, but more importantly, buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to limit injury or possibly lives during an accident. Public safety professionals respond and witness the consequences of not wearing a seat belt.

According to NHTSA, in 2017, there were 10,076 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in the United States. Almost twice as many males were killed in crashes as compared to females.  Of the males killed in crashes in 2017, more than half (51 percent) were unrestrained and 39 percent of females were not buckled up. Young adults 18 to 34 who were killed in crashes in 2017, more than half were unrestrained, the highest percentages of all age groups. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a pro-active approach to seat belt enforcement. In Michigan, the penalty for a seat belt violation is a fine of $65.00.

"Community awareness is the key," said Chief of Police Elvin Barren "If you know a friend or a family member who does not buckle up, please ask them to change their habits. Help us spread this lifesaving message before any more of our loved ones are injured. Everyone, please remember to buckle up – every trip, every time”

For more information about Click it or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/ciot.