Dallas Police Participating in TxDOT Click It or Ticket Campaign

The Dallas Police Department announced this week it will take part in the Texas Department of Transportation's Click It or Ticket campaign from now through the end of May.

The department posted the announcement to social media on Monday. According to the post, the seat belt awareness campaign runs from May 18-31.

"Not only is it the law," the post reads. "It could save your life. We want everyone to arrive safely."

According to TxDOT, 965 Texans died in traffic crashes after not wearing seat belts. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of dying in a crash by 45% for individuals sitting in the front seat of passenger cars. When it comes to pickup trucks, a seat belt reduces the risk by 60%.

Texas law requires that all drivers and passengers wear seat belts or face fines and court costs of up to $200. Children younger than 8 years old must be in a child car seat or booster seat unless they are taller than 4'9". Drivers face court costs of up to $250 for transporting improperly restrained children.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows that the Texas edition of the Click It or Ticket campaign has saved more than 8,600 lives, prevented 157,000 serious injuries, and resulted in more than $35 billion in economic savings since its launch in 2002.