Running from May 20 to June 2, this year’s Click It or Ticket campaign aims to promote seat belt usage and child safety during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. With additional officers on patrol, the Chula Vista Police Department will actively enforce seat belt laws, targeting drivers and passengers who are not properly restrained.
Agent Brian Carter emphasized the importance of seat belt usage, stating, “Wearing a seat belt should be automatic for all drivers and passengers every trip. Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to remember always to buckle up.”
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) underscore the critical need for seat belt compliance. In 2021, nearly 12,000 individuals lost their lives in crashes nationwide due to not wearing seat belts. In California alone, 878 fatalities in 2021 were attributed to a lack of seat belt usage, marking a concerning increase of 12.3 percent from the previous year.
California law mandates that children be secured in a safety or booster seat until they reach at least 8 years old or are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall. Additionally, children under the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing seat unless they weigh 40 pounds or more or are 40 inches tall or taller.
The Click It or Ticket campaign receives funding from a grant provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety, in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This support enables law enforcement agencies like the Chula Vista Police Department to intensify efforts in promoting seat belt usage and reducing preventable injuries and fatalities on the roads.
As travelers prepare for Memorial Day Weekend festivities, the Chula Vista Police Department emphasizes that seat belt compliance is not only a legal requirement but a crucial step in ensuring the safety of all occupants in vehicles. By buckling up and securing children in appropriate car seats, travelers can contribute to safer roadways and prevent unnecessary tragedies during this holiday weekend and beyond.