Click it or Ticket Campaign Started Today

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced that while seat belt use is at a record high 84 percent nationwide, 45 million Americans are still not buckling up when riding in motor vehicles. In an effort to increase belt use and save lives, the Secretary today kicked off Click It or Ticket, a national enforcement mobilization that encourages all motorists to wear their seat belts – day and night. Drivers caught not wearing their seat belt run the risk of being ticketed.

"We've made great strides to get Americans to buckle up, but we must not rest on our laurels," said Secretary LaHood. "Not wearing your seat belt is a serious, life-threatening practice. If you are one of the 45 million Americans who won't buckle up, our Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization will be looking for you."

On any given day about 38 people who are not buckled-up are killed in motor vehicle crashes, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2008 alone, nearly 14,000 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants lost their lives on U.S. roadways. Nearly half of them could have been saved if they had been belted. Click here to view map.

NHTSA statistics also show that those least likely to buckle-up are teens; young adults; males; nighttime riders; motorists traveling on rural roads; and individuals traveling in pick-up trucks. Click here to view statistics.

"Regular seat belt use is the single best way to protect yourself and your family in motor vehicle crashes," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "Wearing your seat belt costs you nothing. But the cost for not wearing one certainly will. Don't risk your life, or getting a ticket. Please remember to buckle up day and night – every trip, every time."

The "Click It or Ticket" campaign is set to run from May 24 through June 6.

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Loudoun County and Leesburg to Join State Police in "Click it or Ticket"

According to the Loudoun Independent, "the Virginia State Police will participate in the 'Click It or Ticket' enforcement mobilization, along with hundreds of law enforcement agencies, including the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Leesburg Police Department. The campaign runs through May 31, 2009, and is aimed at increasing seat belt use in Virginia and ultimately saving lives."

"Special checkpoints and other stepped up law enforcement activities will be conducted during the mobilization.

"According to preliminary figures, in 2008, 612 traffic-related fatalities in Virginia involved vehicles equipped with safety restraints. More than half of the victims involved in the fatalities were not wearing a seat belt, according to preliminary numbers provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles, Virginia Highway Safety Office."

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Routes 7 and 11 Focus of "Click It or Ticket" Campaign

Jurisdictions from Northern Virginia through the Shenandoah Valley will be out in force along the Route 7 and 11 corridors blanketing these routes from May 19 through May 25, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Both Routes 7 and 11 will see an intensive blitz with a special lookout for those not buckled up on Friday, May23 as part of the 2008 Click It or Ticket Mobilization.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office has joined the Route 7/11 Task Force to enforce traffic laws in advance of the heavily traveled Memorial Day weekend. The Route 7/11 Blitz will focus particular attention on seat belt use, 24 hours a day.

The Virginia Highway Safety Office reports in preliminary 2007 data that there were 447 unbelted people killed. Of those, 251 unbelted fatalities occurred between the hours of 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM. The total number of fatalities in Virginia was 1,026; one of the highest rates in a decade.

"Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. Click It or Ticket is Law Enforcement's way of telling you we care about you and want you to arrive at your destination safely," said Loudoun County Sheriff Steve Simpson.

Virginia and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office are participants in the national Click It or Ticket Mobilization each May. Click It or Ticket is focused on increasing seat belt and child safety seat use, which in turn reduces serious injuries and fatalities.

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