To try and get motorists to buckle up, certain law enforcement agencies across the state are taking part in a "Click it or Ticket" mobilization today.
The Fulton and Holts Summit Police Departments both stated they will be involved in the campaign. Although the Missouri State Highway Patrol does take part in the campaigns at certain times, it will not be a part of today's mobilization, according to Sgt. Paul Reinsch, Highway Patrol spokesman.
Lt. Lyla Robbins with the FPD said the campaign means officers on duty will be more focused on traffic enforcement and increase patrols for traffic violations. She said all occupants in vehicles will be checked for seat belt usage and tickets will be issued for not wearing a seat belt. However, she said vehicles won't be stopped just to check on seat belt usage.
"We are involved in all of the "Click it or Ticket' campaigns," Robbins said. "It's done to remind people that it's the law to wear their seat belt ... and encourage them to do so."
Kyle McIntyre, chief of police at Holts Summit, told his staff that there will not be extra officers on patrol during today's campaign, because of funding, but tickets will be given out during regular traffic stops for not wearing a seat belt.
This latest "Click it or Ticket" mobilization was announced by the Jefferson City Police Department on Tuesday. The department released a statement that the campaign is a way to "crack down on Missouri's safety belt law violators and reduce highway fatalities."
"Every day someone dies in a crash in Missouri because they weren't buckled up," Chief Roger Schroeder said in the statement. "We'll be out there to remind you seat belts can, and do, save lives every day."
According to the JCPD, nearly one in four Missouri motorists fail to regularly wear their seat belt in a vehicle and only 76 percent of Missourians buckle up regularly, eight percent less than the national average. The department also stated that seven out of 10 Missourians killed in traffic crashes were unbuckled.