2-Week Enforcement By Plainfield Police Planned Ahead Of Memorial Day

PLAINFIELD, IL — With Memorial Day coming up, Plainfield police are gearing up to launch a "Click It or Ticket" enforcement campaign.

The effort to target seat belt usage is set to begin Friday and last until May 30, police announced Tuesday.

"Seat belts have proven to be lifesaving in the event of a crash. Unfortunately, many still don’t buckle up," officials said in a news release. "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."

Memorial Day, being observed on May 29 this year, marks the unofficial start of summer, a popular time for traveling. Police are urging drivers to buckle up whenever they hit the road as the simple practice can reduce fatal injury by 45 percent, they said.

The compliance rate for seat belt usage in Illinois is currently 93 percent, and unbelted occupants continue to account for more than half of people killed in car crashes, according to police.

"The simple click of a seat belt could save thousands of lives each year," officials said.