The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is urging Californians to prioritize seat belt safety as the "Click It or Ticket" campaign kicks off and runs through Memorial Day. Deputy Gabriel Rojo emphasized the importance of wearing seat belts, stating, "Wearing a seat belt should be automatic for all drivers and passengers every trip."
During the campaign period from May 20 to June 2, additional officers will be on patrol in La Quinta and Coachella, actively enforcing seat belt laws and ensuring that children are properly secured in car seats. The initiative aims to reduce the number of preventable fatalities on the road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the importance of seat belt usage is underscored by the fact that nearly 12,000 people killed in crashes nationwide in 2021 were not wearing seat belts. In California, 878 individuals lost their lives in crashes in 2021 due to not wearing seat belts, marking a 12.3 percent increase from the previous year.
California law mandates that children be secured in a safety or booster seat until they reach at least 8 years old or 4 feet, 9 inches tall. Additionally, children under the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing seat unless they weigh 40 or more pounds or are 40 or more inches tall.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office urges all travelers to prioritize safety and adhere to seat belt laws to prevent unnecessary tragedies on the road. For media inquiries regarding this campaign, please contact the Media Information Bureau.