SARASOTA, Fla. – No matter what type of vehicle you drive, one of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up.
As you head out around the Memorial Day holiday, you’ll likely see more law enforcement on the roads as part of Click It or Ticket. This campaign, from May 22 – June 4, reminds drivers and their passengers of the importance of buckling up and the legal consequences – including fines – for not wearing a seat belt.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021, 11,813 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants were killed in crashes in the United States.
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That same year, 57% of passenger vehicle occupants killed at night (6 p.m.-5:59 a.m.) were not wearing seat belts. That’s why the Click It or Ticket campaign focuses on nighttime enforcement.
Participating law enforcement agencies will take a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night. In the City of Sarasota, the maximum penalty for a seat belt violation is $116.
When traveling, Sarasota Police officers want to remind citizens to remember these safety tips:
- Reduce your speed. More speeding-related fatalities happen during the summer months than at any other time of the year.
- Refrain from using cell phones or devices when driving.
- Designate a sober driver or take alternate transportation if you consume alcohol.
- Drive defensively and exercise caution, especially during bad weather.
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Always place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck, and place the lap belt across your hips, not your stomach. You should never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm. And remember: always buckle up.
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