With the Memorial Day holiday and the summer driving season on the horizon, it’s more important than ever for motorists to be aware of the importance of roadway safety. That’s why the Mesquite Police Department is joining forces with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and law enforcement agencies across Texas to ticket drivers and passengers who aren’t wearing their safety belts during this year’s Click It or Ticket campaign. Extra officers will be out in force throughout the campaign, which runs from May 22 – June 4, 2017.
“A seat belt is your best defense in the event of a crash,” said Lt. Brian Parrish, Public Information Officer for the Mesquite Police Department. “Buckling up, whether you’re in the front or back seat, can also keep you from getting an expensive citation, especially this month.”
For more than a decade, TxDOT has sponsored the annual Click It or Ticket campaign to remind motorists to buckle up. Though Texas is a leader in seat belt safety with 94 percent compliance; teens, passengers in general, pickup drivers and those in rural areas continue to lag behind when it comes to seat belt use.
A properly fastened safety belt is the best way to avoid death or serious injury in a vehicle crash. Lap belts should fit snugly across the hips, not over the stomach. Shoulder belts go over the shoulder and across the center of the chest. Both drivers and passengers can be ticketed if they aren’t buckled up, and violations can result in fines and court costs of up to $200. Children younger than 17 years old must be properly restrained with a safety belt or age-appropriate child passenger safety seat.
Mesquite Police Department and TxDOT remind motorists to buckle up properly every time they get in a vehicle. For Click It or Ticket campaign details, visit texasclickitorticket.com.
Article courtesy of StarLocalMedia.com