Motorists who refuse to wear their seat belts – beware.  The 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization runs from May 20 to June 2 to help save lives by cracking down on those who don’t buckle up. 

Bluffton Police Department is joining with other state and local law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates across the country to help save more lives by strongly enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2011 nationally, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes overnight (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crash, compared to 43 percent during the daytime hours.

“Too many drivers and passengers on the road at night are not wearing their seat belts, and it all too often ends in tragedy,” said Sgt. Matt Oglesbee. “Our goal is to save more lives, so our officers will be out enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.”

Seat belt use saves thousands of lives across America each year and Bluffton Police Department is helping spread the word. NHTSA statistics show that in 2011 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide.

Yet, too many motorists may need a tough reminder. In 2011, 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle crashes, according to NHTSA, and 52 percent of them were NOT wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes.  From 2007-2011, 53 percent of the 121,507 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were unrestrained. 

Younger motorists and men are particularly at risk.  NHTSA data shows that among teen and young adult passenger vehicle occupants in 2011, ages 18-34, who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, 64 percent were not buckled up at the time of the crash – the highest percentage of any age group.  The number jumps to 66 percent when just men in this age group are included. 

In fatal crashes during 2011, 77 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who were thrown from their vehicles were killed.  However, only 1 percent of crash victims who were buckled up were totally ejected from their vehicles, compared to 31 percent of those who were unbelted.  Motorists are 75 percent less likely to be killed in a rollover crash if they are buckled up. 

While this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 20 through June 2, motorists should know that officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round.

“Those who choose not to wear a seat belt will feel the heat from our officers who will be out cracking down on Click It or Ticket violators. Motorists should buckle up every time they go out, both day and night,” said Oglesbee. “Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone not buckled up…no warnings and no excuses. Click It or Ticket.”