The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has launched this year’s Click It or Ticket campaign to promote seat belt safety during the Memorial Day weekend. The campaign, which runs from May 20 to June 2, aims to raise awareness about the importance of wearing seat belts and securing children in the appropriate car seats.
Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Michael Hinkle emphasized the significance of seat belt usage by stating, “Wearing a seat belt should be automatic for all drivers and passengers every trip.” Hinkle highlighted that seat belts save lives and stressed the importance of both adults and children buckling up.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the lack of seat belt usage has resulted in numerous fatalities. In 2021, nearly 12,000 individuals lost their lives in crashes across the country due to not wearing seat belts. In California alone, 878 fatalities in 2021 were attributed to individuals not wearing seat belts, marking a 12.3 percent increase from the previous year.
California law mandates that children be secured in safety or booster seats until they are at least 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall. Additionally, children under 2 years of age must ride in a rear-facing seat unless they meet specific weight or height criteria.
The funding for the Click It or Ticket campaign was made possible through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For media inquiries related to the campaign, individuals are encouraged to reach out to the Media Information Bureau. Those interested in pursuing a career with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office can apply online at joinrso.org or contact 1-888-Join-RSD.
