Click It Or Ticket — JPD On Patrol

From the Johnston Police Department:

The Johnston Police Department will join local and national law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates all across the country for the 2011 national Click It Or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization from May 23 to June 5.

During the mobilization, officers will be cracking down on motorists who fail to wear their seat  belts both day and night.

Because nighttime passenger vehicle occupants are among the least likely to buckle up and most likely to die in crashes when unrestrained, nighttime enforcement has become a priority of the Click It Or Ticket mobilization. Of those who died in nighttime crashes in 2009, nearly two thirds (62 percent) were not wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes.

In 2009, 11,593 passenger vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle crashes nationwide between the nighttime hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"Many more nighttime traffic deaths can be prevented if more motorists simply start wearing their seatbelts. That's why the Johnston Police Department is strongly supporting enhanced nighttime enforcement of seat belt laws during the May 23 to June 5 Click It Or Ticket campaign," said Capt. Daniel Parrillo. "We will be out in force to remind drivers and occupants to always wear their seat belts both day and night. We will be conducting our nighttime mobilization on May 26 and 27 in a prominent location in town."

High-visibility enforcement such as Click It Or Ticket mobilization is credited with increasing the national belt usage rate from 58 in 1994 to an observed usage rate of 85 percent in 2010. Belt use saves thousands of lives each year in America. In 2009 alone, seat belts saves 12,713 lives nationwide.

"Law enforcement will be cracking down on Click It Or Ticket violators around the clock. Local motorists should be prepared to buckle up. If law enforcement finds you on the road unbuckled anytime or anywhere, you can expect a ticket — not a warning. No excuses and no exceptions," said Capt. Parrillo.

Remember this May 23 to June 5. It's Click It Or Ticket. Buckle up and encourage your loved ones to do the same. You'll save the cost of a ticket and may even save a life.