There were reportedly 10,428 unbuckled motorists killed in crashes in the U.S. in the year 2016. Seat-belts were estimated to save an additional 14,668 lives in that same year, according to a Marshall County Sheriff’s Office press release.
In order to keep community members safe, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and the Plymouth and Bremen Police Departments will be teaming up with law-enforcement agencies across the country to increase enforcement of seat-belt laws for the Click It-or-Ticket initiative.
The initiative continues through the start of the summer travel season, including the Memorial Day holiday. The overtime police patrols during the Click It-or-Ticket initiative are paid for with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds that are administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.
The state of Indiana has participated in Click It-or-Ticket for more than two decades. Last year, more than 240 law-enforcement agencies performed more than 8,725 hours of traffic patrols and issued more than 30,000 citations or warnings, with about 13,700 of those being seat-belt and child-restraint citations.
The dangers of driving unrestrained apply to every age. A majority of men under the age of 45 who are automobile accidents suffer fatalities because they don’t take the time to buckle-up and sadly, traffic crashes are also the leading killer of children ages 1 to 13.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department has a few tips to keep in mind as police officers increase patrols.
The best way to reduce your chance of injury or death is buckle-up properly. Be sure to secure the lap belt across your hips and pelvis, just below your stomach. Place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and rib cage, away from your neck and never place the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm.
Motorists should also be aware that in Indiana, unrestrained children under 16 are the driver’s responsibility. Adults set the example and parents who don’t buck up are more likely to have unbuckled kids. Police say that means one ticket for you and one for every unbuckled kid.
Click the following links to choose the safest car seat for your child’s height and weight and locate a certified car-seat safety technician to assist with installation. You can also utilize the SaferCar app which is available through iTunes and Google Play.
