Ormond Beach Police Department participating in ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The Ormond Beach Police Department is prioritizing driver safety by enforcing the use of seat belts during the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) annual Click It or Ticket enforcement effort. This high-visibility campaign, aligned with the Memorial Day holiday, will run from May 22 to June 4, 2023.

The police department aims to instill the habit of seat belt usage among drivers and passengers, emphasizing that it is not only a safe practice but also, a legal requirement. Collaborating with fellow law enforcement agencies across local and state boundaries, officers will work diligently to ensure the message reaches drivers and passengers alike. By buckling up, individuals can significantly reduce injuries and even save lives in the event of a crash. The consequences of neglecting seat belt use are all too evident, with preventable loss of life being a common occurrence.

According to recent data from the NHTSA, a staggering 11,813 unbuckled occupants of passenger vehicles lost their lives in crashes across the United States in 2021. Furthermore, during the same year, 57% of nighttime (6 p.m.-5:59 a.m.) fatalities among passenger vehicle occupants involved individuals not wearing seat belts. Therefore, the Click It or Ticket campaign will primarily focus on enforcing seat belt laws during nighttime hours. Participating agencies will adopt a strict approach, issuing citations for seat belt violations around the clock. In Florida, such violations carry a maximum penalty of a non-moving traffic violation, with a fine amounting to $116.00.

Regardless of the vehicle type or road conditions, wearing a seat belt remains the most effective means of ensuring safety during a vehicle crash. Tragically, many families suffer the consequences of their loved one's failure to adhere to this simple precaution. Florida experienced approximately 13,162 deaths in 2021 due to individuals not wearing seat belts.

NHTSA data reveals that females exhibit higher seat belt usage rates compared to males. In 2021 alone, the number of males killed in crashes was nearly twice that of females. Of the males who lost their lives, more than half (54%) were unrestrained. Among females involved in fatal crashes, 42% did not wear a seatbelt.

"If our enforcement efforts succeed in raising awareness about the perils of driving without seat belts, we will consider our mission a success," stated the Ormond Beach Police.

The department urges individuals to influence their friends and family members who neglect seat belt use to reconsider their habits. Spreading this life-saving message is essential to prevent further loss of loved ones. Seat belts save lives, and everyone, regardless of age or seating position, must use a seat belt.

For more details about the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.NHTSA.gov/ciot.