Last Memorial Day, there were seven fatal car crashes in Louisiana. In four of those fatal wrecks, the victims were not wearing seatbelts. Preventing accidents like that is the goal behind Click it or Ticket. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has joined forces with over 100 state agencies to crack down on drivers who are still not getting the message that seatbelts save lives.
The nationwide seatbelt campaign began May 21 and ends June 3. However, the aim is to make seatbelt use a year around habit for drivers and passengers. Louisiana law enforcement agencies received state grants to conduct extra patrols and handout citations to violators. The grant will pay for overtime to troopers and officers during the two weeks.
It is no coincidence that Click it or Ticket runs during Memorial Day weekend. Nationwide, the holiday weekend is one of the deadliest on America’s roads. In addition to increased patrols, law enforcement agencies will also run radio spots alerting drivers. Last year’s Click it or Ticket saw over 13,000 citations for seatbelt violations in Louisiana.
There are some signs that the campaign is working. A 2011 study estimated that 78 percent of Louisiana drivers and passengers wore seatbelts. In the mid 1980s, that number was only 12 percent. According to NHTSA, seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate to critical injuries by 50 percent.
Harrell & Nowak, L.L.C. – New Orleans accident attorneys