If you routinely thumb your nose at the state law requiring you to buckle your seat belt, you might want to keep an exceptionally watchful eye on your surroundings beginning this Thursday, October 17th. Because, authorities will be keeping an exceptionally watchful eye for scofflaws like you who ignore the rules of the road.
In short, the next Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign begins on Thursday as law enforcement officers will be looking for unbuckled motorists and encouraging safe driving with a renewed interest at that time. 
They do so because autumn in Michigan includes tailgates and bonfires, along with lots of Halloween parties. Officers from police departments, sheriff’s offices and the Michigan State Police want to remind people to enjoy those activities and make safe driving choices this month as seat belt enforcement steps up across the state during the two-week Click It or Ticket campaign running from October 17th through the 31st.
In Michigan, 192 people killed in traffic crashes during 2018 were not wearing a seat belt. October is the second deadliest month, behind only July, for fatalities of those unrestrained in a passenger vehicle in Michigan between 2013 and 2017.
Michael Prince is Director of the Office of Highway Safety Planning. He says, “Wearing a seat belt is the simplest thing you can do to save lives and reduce injuries in a crash,” and adds, “When you’re out enjoying fall in Michigan it’s important to remember to buckle up – every trip, every time, every passenger.”
Michigan law requires drivers, front seat passengers and passengers 15 and younger in any seating position to be buckled up. The fine and associated costs for not wearing a seat belt is $65. Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4-feet 9-inches tall, and children under 4 years old must be in the back seat.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department suggests you follow these guidelines when you buckle up:
- The lap and shoulder belt are secured across the hips and shoulder, which are more able to withstand crash forces than other parts of your body.
- Place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck.
- The lap belt rests across your hips, not your stomach.
- Never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under an arm.
- Children need proper car seats and seat belts too.
In Michigan, the seat belt usage rate currently stands at 94.4-percent. The national seat belt use rate in 2018 was 89.6-percent.
The Office of Highway Safety Planning coordinates the Click It or Ticket effort which is supported by federal traffic safety funds. Consider yourself warned.
