The “Click It or Ticket” campaign began this week in North Carolina with increased traffic enforcement and patrols focused on seat belt use during the long weekend. Memorial Day.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP), will run until June 1st in Asheville and throughout the state. During this period, law enforcement agencies will increase checkpoints and operations on highways and local streets.
“Memorial Day marks the Unofficial start of summer "And we want everyone to arrive safely at their destination," the Asheville Police Department said in a statement.
Currently, the percentage of people who use seat belts is 91.7% in the state.
North Carolina was the first state to launch the campaign
North Carolina was the first state in the country to implement the “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which was later adopted nationally by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In this case, the campaign seeks to increase seat belt use during one of the busiest weekends on the country's roads and one of the times with higher number of accidents.
“Never hesitate to buckle up. It can be the difference between life and death,” said Mark Ezzell, director of the Governor's Road Safety Program, in a state statement.
In 2024 alone, more than 22 people died in traffic accidents in the United States.
Related: What is known about the operation carried out by federal agents in South Carolina on I-85
Fines of up to $180 for not wearing a seatbelt
In North Carolina, not wearing a seatbelt can result in fines of up to $180, not including court and attorney fees. When a child under 16 is not properly restrained, the penalty can reach $266.
Data from the state program shows that more than 11,900 people have died since 1993 in accidents where they were not wearing seat belts.
State law requires that all persons inside a vehicle, both in the front and rear seats, use a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion.
Visit the official campaign website Click it or Ticket
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