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

Crime & Safety

Better 'Click It'—Seatbelt Enforcement Campaign Underway

Cruising on Colorado? Local law enforcement agencies throughout L.A. County are looking for folks who do not have their seatbelts fastened.

Law enforcement authorities throughout Los Angeles County joined their counterparts nationwide in a stepped-up effort to enforce seatbelt laws beginning today.

The "Click It or Ticket" campaign continues through June 3.

“Too many drivers and passengers on the road are not wearing their seat belts at night, and it all too often ends in tragedy,” said Glendale Police Chief Ronald De Pompa.

Find out what's happening in Montrose-La Crescentafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“Our goal is to save more lives, so the Glendale Police Department will be out enforcing seat belt laws around the clock,”  De Pompa said. 

"Seat belts are the most effective piece of life-saving equipment inside your vehicle," Santa Monica police Sgt. Richard Lewis said. 

Find out what's happening in Montrose-La Crescentafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

During the two-week campaign, extra officers will be on patrol looking for people who are not wearing seat belts in vehicles. However, Lewis noted, enforcement efforts continue year-round.

The total cost for a first-time ticket is $142, Lewis said.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 22,187 people in vehicles were killed in traffic crashes nationwide in 2010. As much as 51 percent of them were not wearing seat belts when the accidents occurred.

"Seat belt use saves thousands of lives across America each year, with NHTSA statistics showing that in 2010 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 12,546 lives nationwide," Lewis said.

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

More from Montrose-La Crescenta