LANSING, Mich. — Police departments around Michigan will be out looking for drivers not wearing their seat belts beginning next week.
The "Click It Or Ticket" campaign by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is starting on Monday, May 20 and running through Sunday, June 2.
During those two weeks, the Michigan State Police (MSP), alongside city and county law enforcement, will be ramping up seat belt enforcement for Michigan drivers.
According to data from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 244 people killed in car crashes in 2022 weren't wearing the seat belts.
The Click It Or Ticket campaign will be running through Memorial Day Weekend, which saw 21 fatalities from crashes in 2022 alone.
“The enforcement period is designed to save lives by reminding drivers and all vehicle occupants that buckling up is the most effective thing you can do to stay safe on our roadways,” said Katie Bower, OHSP director. “With the arrival of warmer weather, there is an increase in the number of people traveling to meet up with family and friends. We want to encourage drivers and passengers to buckle up so that everyone makes it to their destinations safely.”
In Michigan, anyone 15 years old or younger is required to always be wearing a seat belt. People 16 years old or older are only required to wear a seat belt when in the front seats of the car. The fine for not wearing your seat belt is $65.
It is also required that anyone 8 years old or younger and anyone under 4'9" tall ride in a booster seat or car seat.
OHSP says that seat belt use has dropped from 94.4% in 2022 to 92.4% in 2023.
"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that buckling up in the front seat can reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a crash by 45 percent," OHSP wrote in a release.
Learn more about the Click It Or Ticket campaign here.
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