By Scottsbluff Police Department
Scottsbluff — During this year’s national Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign, which will take place May 23 through June 5, 2022, Scottsbluff Police Department will be teaming up with law enforcement nationwide for a Border to Border (B2B) kickoff event. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is asking all states to participate
in B2B, a one-day, 4-hour national seat belt awareness event on May 23 to increase law enforcement participation by coordinating highly visible seat belt enforcement for drivers at
state border checkpoints. Scottsbluff Police will participate by having officers conduct saturation patrols within the City of Scottsbluff.
According to NHTSA, in 2019, there were 9,466 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in the United States. In that same year, 55% of passenger vehicle occupants killed at night (6 p.m.–5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts. That’s why one focus of the Click It or Ticket campaign and the B2B kickoff event is nighttime enforcement. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations both day and night. In Nebraska, the penalty for a seat belt violation is $25.00 and you increases your chance of a fatal injury by 45%!
“The Click It or Ticket campaign is important because it raises awareness about seat belt safety during a time when seat belt use is decreased,” said Sgt Philip Eckerberg #121. “With an increased number of cars flooding the roads due to the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, it’s imperative we get the word out about the importance of seat belt safety.”
“In 2021, Nebraska lost 135 community members because they did not buckle their seat belts,” said Bill Kovarik, NDOT Highway Safety Administrator. Over twice as many males were killed in crashes as compared to females, with lower belt use rates, too.
“We aren’t handing out tickets for the thrill of it. If enforcement wakes people up to the dangers of unrestrained driving, we’ll consider our mission to be a success,” said Sgt Eckerberg. “If you know a friend or a family member who does not buckle up when they drive, please let them know you are counting on them to buckle up. Help us spread this lifesaving message before one more friend or family member is killed as a result of this senseless inaction. Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult— needs to remember to buckle up!”
For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit //NHTSA.gov/cio