As the season of road trips and summer travel begins, the Norman Police Department is reminding all drivers of the importance of seat belt usage. The annual Click It or Ticket traffic enforcement and education project runs from May 23 to June 5 and is aimed at enforcing seat belt use to help keep families safe. 

In 2020, 54.8 percent of all vehicle fatality victims were not using safety belts or child restraint devices. In addition, of the 24,874 people injured in crashes on Oklahoma roadways in 2020, 2,106 were not restrained.

“Buckling up is such a simple task that can keep you and your family safe in the car,” said NPD Lieutenant Jeremy Garnand. “But it’s more than that. Buckling up is the law. Our officers often see firsthand the consequences of not buckling up. We see the loss of life. Often, it could have been prevented with the simple click of a seat belt. We want this action to be automatic anytime you get into a vehicle as the driver or a passenger.”

This national campaign is set to help those who don't want to buckle up to understand they pose a danger to other people in the vehicle. An unrestrained person can become a projectile and crush other occupants during a crash. Oftentimes, caregivers will make their child buckle up or be in a car seat, but the caregiver won't buckle up. Reminding them that this is incredibly dangerous to the child could be a way to change their behavior.

Remember to Click It or Ticket -- and buckle up every time you drive or ride in a vehicle. 

The Click It or Ticket mobilization is held in partnership with NHTSA and the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office.