Click It or Ticket program begins next week
POSTED: May 12, 2008
CALCUTTA — The St. Clair Township Police Department will be joining the state-wide “Click It or Ticket” initiative which begins next Monday and lasts until the end of the month.
The main goal of the of the program is to increase seat belt usage and reduce highway fatalities. A new initiative, targeting motorists at night, will be a main focus this year.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2006, 15,046 passenger vehicle occupants died in traffic crashes that happened between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Of those killed, 64 percent of those fatalities involved a lack of seat belt use.
“Research shows us that there is a problem with drivers and passengers not buckling up at night — when the risk of a fatal crash is greatest,” St. Clair Police Chief Donald Hyatt said.
The St. Clair police force will target the areas of Dresden Avenue, state Route 170, Calcutta-Smith Ferry Road and Saint Clair Avenue.
Hyatt said that seat belt use significantly decreases fatalities in crashes that involve motor vehicles.
According to NHTSA, one in five Americans still fail to regularly wear seat belts when driving and riding in a motor vehicle.
“Seat belts clearly save lives. But unfortunately, too many folks still need a tough reminder, so we are going to be out in force buckling down on those who are not buckled up,” Hyatt said.
The national “Click It or Ticket” mobilization is being supported by a $7.5 million in national and state advertising.
