This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Belmont Shore and Naples, Buckle Up

One million Californians drive without seat belts and law enforcement is cracking down statewide this week.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's officials and police statewide have begun a crackdown on unbuckled drivers and passengers that will last through the Memorial Day weekend and into next week.

Begun Monday and lasting until June 5, the search is part of the 2011 Click It or Ticket mobilization that runs May 23 through June 5. The fines and fees for first time adult seat belt violations is a minimum of $142. For children under 16, the fine spikes to $445--for first time offenders.

According to a press release, police will make searching at night a priority "because nighttime passenger vehicle occupants are among those least likely to buckle up and most likely to die in crashes when unrestrained."

Find out what's happening in Belmont Shore-Naplesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

California’s current seat belt use rate is 96.2 percent, but nearly one million people are not buckling up, according to the release.

More than 140 local law enforcement agencies statewide and the California Highway Patrol will be participating in this year’s Click It or Ticket mobilization.

Find out what's happening in Belmont Shore-Naplesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Belmont Shore-Naples