The Michigan State Police want to remind Michigan residents that the Click it or Ticket campaign is underway. The campaign runs from now until the end of the month, and is in place to remind Michiganders that seat belts save lives. According to the state police, October is the second deadliest month after July for unrestrained passengers in a vehicle. In October, many people are out and about, tailgating at football games, going to bonfires, or attending Halloween parties, so the campaign is appropriate this time of year.
The campaign may be paying off. Michiganders are doing better than the national rate when it comes to seat belt usage. In Michigan, the seat belt usage rate is estimated at 94.4 percent while the national rate was just under 90 percent. 192 of those killed in traffic crashes in 2018 were not wearing a seatbelt. Michigan law requires drivers, front seat passengers and passengers 15 and younger in any seating position to be buckled up. Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are eight years old or four feet nine inches tall. Children under four years old must be in the back seat. The Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) Director, Michael Prince said, “Wearing a seatbelt is the simplest thing you can do to save lives and reduce injuries in a crash.” He also said, “When out enjoying fall in Michigan it’s important to remember to buckle up – every trip, every time, every passenger.” The fine for not wearing a seat belt is $65.
