The Click It or Ticket campaign starts today across the state of Kansas and nationwide.
Montgomery County Sheriff Ron Wade says his department will be joining multiple other agencies across the state for the seatbelt enforcement campaign. Wade says the primary goal for the campaign is driver and passenger safety in their vehicle.
There is some good news for Kansans. A 2021 study conducted for KDOT revealed observed belt use rate for drivers at 85.9% in 2021, an increase over 2020 study results. It also compares to a national belt rate of 90% based on the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration National Occupant Protection Use Survey results in 2020. Nationally in 2020, about 60% of passengers ages 18 to 34 who were killed in vehicles were completely unrestrained - one of the highest percentages for all age groups. Men make up 67% of those killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2020 and wear their seat belts at a lower rate - 55% of men killed in crashes were unrestrained, compared to 43% of women.
The campaign starts today ends June 4th. Wade says the primary objective will be enforcing seatbelts, but will be stopping for other traffic infractions.
