UFPD joins national effort to ensure seat belt use

May 20, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Police Department has joined law officers nationwide this week in the “Click It or Ticket” campaign to get drivers and passengers to use seat belts.

Now through June 2, state and local law enforcement will show zero tolerance for motorists who fail to use their safety belts. Not wearing a safety belt is a primary traffic violation, which means if you are stopped, you will likely receive a ticket.

“As we kick-off the busy summer driving season it’s important that everyone buckles up every time they go out, both day and night” said UFPD Maj. Brad Barber. “Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt – ‘Click It or Ticket.’”

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing seat belts. Deaths involving seat belt nonuse are more prevalent at night than during the day. According to NHTSA, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

In 2011, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide according to NHTSA. While this year’s “Click It or Ticket” enforcement mobilization runs from May 20 through June 2, officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round.

“Click It or Ticket” is a cooperative effort of the Florida Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and law enforcement agencies across the state and nation.

For more information go to http://www.police.ufl.edu/.