PHILADELPHIA, PA — State officials and law enforcement agencies have announced the launch of the National “Click It or Ticket” Enforcement Mobilization in Pennsylvania, a campaign designed to encourage seat belt use and save lives. Beginning Monday, May 12, and continuing through June 1, the initiative will combine awareness efforts and high-visibility enforcement to promote compliance with seat belt laws.
“‘Click It or Ticket’ isn’t about citations, it’s about saving lives,” emphasized PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll during the campaign’s kickoff event at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. “Wearing a seat belt increases your chances of surviving a crash by up to 60 percent. One simple click – one second of your time – and it could save your life.”
The urgency of the campaign is underscored by sobering data. According to PennDOT, there were 10,569 crashes in Pennsylvania last year involving unbelted occupants, leading to 311 fatalities and 821 serious injuries. Of those fatalities, 94 percent could have survived if they had worn a seat belt.
Officials at the event, including representatives from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, Philadelphia Police Department, and AAA Mid-Atlantic, reinforced the life-saving importance of seat belts. Lieutenant Lawrence Tankelewicz of the Philadelphia Police Highway Patrol urged drivers and passengers alike to prioritize safety. “Making sure your seat belt is fastened should be your first action before starting your vehicle. Remember that one small click of the buckle can save your life in a crash.”
A key element of the mobilization is enforcement. Law enforcement agencies will conduct nighttime high-visibility patrols on May 22, focusing on roads with high crash rates involving unbuckled occupants. Techniques will include traffic enforcement zones, roving patrols, and speed enforcement efforts.
The campaign will also include a series of child safety seat fitting events across the state, led by PSP troopers certified as child passenger safety technicians. Parents and caregivers can receive free assistance to ensure car seats are properly installed and free of recalls. “Even small mistakes like loose straps or a seat that’s not properly secured can make a difference,” said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris.
Pennsylvania law mandates that all drivers, front-seat passengers, and children under age 18 wear seat belts. Children under age 4 must be secured in an approved child safety seat, while booster seats are required for kids aged 4 to 8.
Coordinated as part of Pennsylvania’s Highway Safety Program and funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the “Click It or Ticket” campaign aims to prevent needless tragedies and promote a culture of safety across the state.
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