In a post shared to its official Facebook page, CHP South Lake Tahoe announced its participation in the statewide “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign, which runs from May 19 through June 1.
The effort is supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the California Office of Traffic Safety.
According to the post, law enforcement agencies across California will be focusing on drivers and passengers who are not wearing seat belts, including those seated in the back seat.
Officers will be conducting enforcement during both daytime and nighttime hours.
“It only takes two seconds to buckle up. Two seconds! And those two seconds could literally save your life. They will also keep you from getting a ticket and paying a fine,” the Facebook post stated.
“Click It or Ticket” began in California in 2005. At that time, the state's seat belt usage rate was 92.5 percent. That figure increased to 95.9 percent by 2018, according to the Facebook post.
The penalty for an adult seat belt violation in California is $162.
The fine for failing to properly restrain a child under the age of 16 is $490.
If the child’s parent is not present in the car, the driver is issued the citation.
The post also cited data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, stating that seat belts saved nearly 15,000 lives in 2017.
“Using seat belts and child safety seats is the number one best thing you can do to survive a crash,” the post said.
In the post, CHP South Lake Tahoe reminded drivers that when you load up the family for a road trip, a trek across town or just driving to school or work, to please do so safely - every trip, every time, day or night. Don't put your own life at risk, or the life of your family and friends, BUCKLE UP!
Additional information on the Click-it-or-Ticket Campaign is available at the California Office of traffic Safety's website.
For more information on seatbelt safety you can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's website.
