State Police To Step Up Patrols For 'Click It Or Ticket' Campaign

The Rhode Island State Police announced Friday that troopers will be increasing patrols next week during the national "Click It or Ticket" highway safety campaign. Over the course of two weeks, extra patrols will be added to Rhode Island's highways to make sure drivers and passengers are following the state's seat belt laws.

"We always encourage motorists to buckle up and we are out there enforcing the state’s seat belt and child restraint laws each and every day," State Police Colonel James Manni said. "However, we will be adding extra patrols that will specifically focus on enforcement of these laws during the Click It or Ticket campaign."

Click It or Ticket runs from May 13 to June 2 and aims to teach the public about the importance of proper seat belt usage. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 374,000 lives are believed to have been saved by by seat belts from 1975 to 2017. In 2017 alone, the NHTSA estimated that half of the 37,133 people killed in crashes in 2017 were not wearing a seat belt.

The campaign runs during Memorial Day, the kickoff to the summer driving season, which is usually the deadliest for crashes. The NHTSA provides extra funding to police departments across the country during the campaign to allow for increased patrols.

Under Rhode Island law, both drivers and passengers are required to wear a seat belt, and all children under age 2 are required to be placed in a rear-facing car seat. After age two, children must use a child seat or booster seat until age eight, or when they are 57 inches tall or weigh at least 80 pounds. Anyone caught not wearing their seatbelt faces a $40 fine, with a $85 fine improper car seat use for children.

"Wearing a seat belt is not only required by law, but it also is the single best way to protect yourself and your passengers in the event of a crash," Col. Manni said. "So remember to buckle up every time you get into your vehicle – and make sure your passengers buckle up, too."

Here are some tips for safe seat belt use:

Do

• Buckle up – every ride, every time
• Make sure you wear the seat belt properly – away from your neck, across your chest and snugly across your lap
• Restrain children in approved car seats or booster seats until they outgrow the size limits of booster seats, usually between ages 8 and 12

Don’t

• Drive or ride in any vehicle without wearing a seat belt
• Wear a seat belt under your arm or behind your back
• Allow children under age 12 to sit in the front seat, even with a seat belt or child safety seat, unless there is no back seat in the vehicle