Thanks to the Chadron Police Dept.
The Chadron Police Department raised awareness about seat belt safety to area residents during its annual Click It or Ticket high-visibility seat belt enforcement campaign, held May 22 through June 4.
Law enforcement officers wrote a total of four citations for seat belt violations in the process. The campaign, which coincided with the Memorial Day holiday, combined increased enforcement and a zero-tolerance policy, with effective communication to road users on the importance of seat belt use.
“This year’s Click It or Ticket campaign was a major success,” said Sgt. Cloyd. “Through our enforcement efforts, we believe we helped keep community members safe and reminded drivers of the importance of buckling up. Issuing tickets was not our goal, but it was a way to remind people of the importance of such a simple action.” Sgt. Cloyd also stated, “Seatbelt Violations are always a concern for the Chadron Police Department; enforcement action is taken on a daily basis if occupants of vehicles are stopped for a primary infraction and found to be in violation of the Nebraska seat belt laws.
During our Click It or Ticket efforts Officers with the Chadron Police Department made a difference in driving habits through education and enforcement actions. A total of 68 stops were conducted, 45 Warnings and 23 Citations, for a variety of violations including, but not limited to, Head/Tail Light Violations, Failure to Yield Right of Way, Registration Violations, Stop Sign Violations, Driving While Suspended, Seat Belt Violations, and Speeding.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than half of the passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2020 were unrestrained. During this year’s campaign, NHTSA urged law enforcement nationwide to issue seat belt citations to anyone caught in violation of the law — during the day, and especially at night, when 58% of those killed are unrestrained.
The national seat belt use rate in 2021 was 90.4%. The Click It or Ticket campaign is focusing on the remaining 9.6% who still don’t buckle up. Thousands of lives could be saved each year if every person was properly restrained on the road.
For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/ciot.