'Click It Or Ticket' Campaign Underway In Novato

NOVATO, CA – With the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day weekend, around the corner, Novato police are reminding motorists to "click it or ticket" during the busy travel season. The national seat belt campaign will take place May 21 through June 3.

"This Memorial Day period and, in fact, every day, we want everyone in every vehicle to remember that buckling up could be their greatest defense in a crash," said Rhonda Craft, director of the California Office of Traffic Safety, in a statement. "Putting on a seat belt is one of the quickest, simplest and most effective ways to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe and sound on the road."

Nearly half – 48 percent – of the people killed in passenger vehicle crashes in 2016 were not wearing their seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That number soared to 56 percent from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. That's why nighttime enforcement is one focus of the campaign.

Authorities will be taking a "no-excuses approach" to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night. In California, the minimum fine for a seat belt violation is $162.

The enforcement effort is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Also see:

Memorial Day 2018 CA Travel Guide: Gas Prices, Peak Traffic Times

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