Friday Brings Click It or Ticket Effort

officers will join statewide law enforcers on Friday (Nov. 18) for an aggressive “Click It or Ticket” mobilization to get more motorists to buckle up and save more lives.

Despite evidence proving the benefits of wearing a seat belt, nearly one in four Missouri motorists are still not making it click, said Eureka Police Chief Michael Wiegand. National authorities predict that seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent.

Seven out of 10 Missourians killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled, according to Missouri Highway Patrol authorities.

“Local motorists should be prepared for stepped up 'Click It or Ticket' enforcement,” said Wiegand. “We’ll be out there to remind you seat belts can — and do — save lives.”

Statistics gathered by Arrive Alive team efforts based in Jefferson City reflect 643 fatalities as the year-to-date figure so far. In comparison, 821 Missourians were killed in traffic crashes during 2010.

Arrive Alive materials also state only 79 percent of Missourians wear their seat belt, which is below the national average of 85 percent.

Arrive Alive statistics related to young drivers:

• Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people 15 to 20 years old.
• Three out of four teens killed in traffic crashes are not wearing a seat belt.
• Only 67 percent of Missouri teens wear their seat belt.
• One in four Missouri traffic crashes involve a young driver (under the age of 21).