North Canton Police Strongly Enforcing Seat Belt Laws

Buckle up — that's an order. Like in years' past, the North Canton Police Department will participate in the state's "Click it or Ticket" program.

North Canton's department is joining with other state and local law agencies to help save lives by enforcing seat belt laws — especially at night. 

And here's why:

"Nationally, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes overnight (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) in 2011 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crash, compared to 43 percent during the daytime hours," according to a press release.

While the statistics are far worse overnight, the campaign continues day and night. 

The North Canton Police Department encourages motorists that they should buckle up every time they are in a vehicle.

The police department said in a prepared statement that it is prepared to write tickets — not issue warnings — to people who are not wearing a seat belt. 

The campaign runs from May 20 through June 2, but seat belt laws are enforced all year long.