Law enforcement ramps up "Click-It or Ticket"

  • Published
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  More than 10,000 passenger vehicle occupants died in traffic crashes between the nighttime hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. during 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Sixty-one percent of those passengers killed were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crash. The proportion of unbuckled deaths at night is considerably higher than the 42 percent of passengers who were not wearing their seats belts and were killed during daytime hours across the nation that same year.

The military community fairs much better in relation to the national statistics. However, motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of death for Airmen "off duty". According to the Air Force Safety Center statistics, 28 deaths occurred in 2010 as a result of motor vehicle accidents. Of those accidents, 60 percent of the deaths could be directly attributed to reckless behaviors, including drivers or passengers neglecting to wear safety belts. Moody's mission success depends on its people and disregard for safety standards can result in injuries or deaths, decreasing mission success.

The 23d Security Forces Squadron announced they are joining state and local law enforcement, and highway safety officials to launch an aggressive national "Click-It or Ticket" seat belt enforcement mobilization to crack down on low seat belt use and to reduce highway fatalities This year, their new emphasis is convincing more motorists to buckle up -day and night.

Stepped-up law enforcement activities will be conducted during the national "Click-It or Ticket" enforcement mobilization, which runs May 21 to 28.

Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. In 2009 alone, seat belts saved 12,713 lives nationwide. When worn correctly, seat belts have proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers by 45 percent. Yet nearly one in five Americans, 19 percent nationally, still fail to regularly wear their seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle, according to NHTSA's observational seat belt studies.


Seat belts clearly save lives. But unfortunately, too many folks still need a tough reminder. That's why law enforcement will be out in force buckling down on those who are not buckled up. Wearing your seat belt costs you nothing, but the cost for not wearing it certainly will. So unless you want to risk a ticket, or worse, please remember to buckle up day and night - "Click-It or Ticket."

For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/CIOT or contact the 23d Security Forces Squadron at 229-257-6075/4018/3108.