Fond du Lac County, WI

05/23/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/24/2022 05:56

05/23/22 - Click It or Ticket Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 23, 2022

CONTACT: Sheriff Ryan F. Waldschmidt (920)-929-3372

Click It Or Ticket campaign reminds drivers to buckle upThe Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Officewill join law enforcement agencies across the country to reinforce the lifesaving benefit of wearing a seat belt. Sheriff's Deputieswill patrol for longer hours during the Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign, which runs from May 23 through June 5, 2022.

"Our goal is to save lives, not just hand out tickets," Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt said. "Buckling up is one of the easiest and most effective steps you can take to survive a crash. It's not just a safe thing to do. It's the law."

Thousands of lives could be saved each year if every person was properly restrained on the road. About 88% of Wisconsin motorists wear seat belts. That number has been dropping in recent years. Half of the drivers and passengers involved in deadly traffic crashes in Wisconsin in 2021 were not wearing seat belts.

Wisconsin's primary seat belt law allows law enforcement to stop and cite motorists for failing to wear a seat belt. Drivers can also be cited for every unbuckled passenger in their vehicle. Penalties are higher for transporting unrestrained children. Failure to fasten a seat belt is among the most common traffic violations in Wisconsin.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2019, 55% of passenger vehicle occupants killed at night (6 p.m.-5:59 a.m.) nationwide were not wearing their seat belts. That's why one focus of the Click It or Ticket campaign is nighttime enforcement.

The annual campaign also coincides with the first summer travel holiday. As more cars are out on the roads during Memorial Day weekend, law enforcement officials are asking everyone to buckle up and stay safe.

"No matter how long the trip, or where you're going, you're safest when you buckle up. If you know a friend or family member who does not use their seat belt, ask them to consider changing their habits. Help us spread this lifesaving message to avoid tragedy on the roads as summer approaches," Waldschmidtsaid.

For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/ciot.

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