May 21, 2009

Los Angeles: Keep yourself and your family safe by making sure everyone wears their seat belts for every trip.  That's the message that the Los Angeles Police Department is telling drivers as part of the 2009 start-of-summer Click It or Ticket mobilization, May 18 through 31, 2009.

No warnings will be given out, as the Los Angeles Police Department will be aggressively enforcing the state's occupant protection laws.  The Click It or Ticket campaign relies on heavy enforcement and public education as a means to help save lives on California's roadways.

"Seat belts save thousands of lives every year," said Sergeant Bob Rieboldt, Traffic Coordination Section.  "Buckling up will not only save you a heavy fine, it can also save your life.  We're not giving warnings.  It's Click It or Ticket."

Currently, California has a seat belt usage rate of 95.7 percent, but that still means over one half million people are not buckling up.  Properly restrained drivers, passengers and children have a 50 percent better chance of surviving a crash than unbelted occupants.  Those ejected from vehicles in crashes or rollovers are up to 35 times more likely to die than restrained occupants.

"Buckling up just makes sense," said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety.  "It takes only two seconds for an action that can make the difference whether you or your family gets home today."

More than 90 local law enforcement agencies statewide and the California Highway Patrol will be participating in this year's Click It or Ticket mobilization. Funding to support California's Click It or Ticket campaign was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

If you have any questions regarding the seat belt mobilization, please contact Officer Don Inman, Traffic Coordination Section at 213-847-1630.