Area police departments are joining the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety in reminding motorists to Click It or Ticket.

The annual campaign is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) high-visibility enforcement effort that runs May 24 - June 6. The campaign helps increase seat belt enforcement with traffic safety checkpoints and saturation patrols.

Of the 783 roadway deaths last year in Kentucky, 597 were occupants of motor vehicles. Of those killed in motor vehicle crashes, 342 were not wearing a seat belt, car seat or booster seat. Six of the 342 were children age 9 and under, four of which were improperly restrained.

According to NHTSA, more than half of those killed at night are unrestrained. In Kentucky last year, 261 roadway deaths occurred at night. Of those, 162 were unrestrained.

Also according to NHTSA, when worn correctly, seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45% for front-seat vehicle occupants and by 60% for pickup truck, SUV and minivan occupants. Additionally, child seats are 71% effective in reducing infant deaths, 54% effective in reducing toddler deaths and 67% effective in reducing the need for hospitalization. For older children, the use of belt-positioning booster seats lowers the risk of injury to children in crashes by 59% compared with the use of vehicle seat belts.

For additional information on seat belts, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts. 

For additional information on child seats and boosters, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats.