Click it or Ticket Campaign starts

The annual Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement mobilization began May 23 and will continue through June 5.

Law enforcement agencies on the local, state and federal levels will all increase attentions on motorists who do not wear seat belts.

Motorists and passengers are less likely to buckle up at night and most likely to die in crashes when unrestrained, according to a press release issued by the Florida Department of Transportation. It also said nearly two-thirds of those who died were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

Sergeant Scott Haines, public information officer for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Department, said deputies will have zero tolerance for motorists not wearing seatbelts during this time.

“Anyone we see not wearing their seatbelt, will get stopped, and it will be a primary offense. There will be no warnings,” said Haines.

He also said there will be extra patrols working during this campaign whose sole focus will be traffic and seatbelt enforcement to make sure people are complying with seatbelt usage laws.

The Florida Highway Patrol will also be paying more attention to motorists’ seat belt usage. In a press release issued by the FHP, Major Eddie Johnson, Troop A commander, said they will be out in full force to remind people to use seatbelts.

The press release also said motorists cited for failure to buckle up face a non-moving violation that carries a $30 base fine, plus court costs if convicted.

Florida law requires all drivers and occupants in the front seat of a vehicle to fasten their safety belt. Occupants under the age of 18, regardless of where they sit in a vehicle, also must buckle up.