'Click It, Or Ticket' Memorial Day Campaign Kicks Off In Oak Lawn

OAK LAWN, IL — Fasten those seat belts because starting May 13 through May 31, the Oak Lawn Police Department is stepping up enforcement for the Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” campaign.

“Click It or Ticket” focuses on safety education and law enforcement support to save lives. “Seat belts have proven to be one of the best ways to save your life in a crash,” said Sgt. M. Acke, of the Oak Lawn Police Department. “Unfortunately, many still don’t buckle up. Worse yet, not wearing a seat belt is a habit that can be passed on to younger generations who follow the example set by their elders.”

>>> Oak Lawn Police Release April ‘Distracted Driving’ Score Card

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, a popular time for traveling to visit family and friends. Whether you are traveling down the block or across the country, make sure you buckle up every time. Wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent.

Seat belts save lives every day, but they’re only effective if they’re used. While Illinois currently has a 93.5 percent seat belt use compliance rate, unbelted occupants still account for more than half of those killed in motor vehicle crashes. The simple click of a seat belt could save thousands of lives each year. You may want to rethink that extra cocktail and texting while driving through May 31, too.

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation with federal highway safety funds.