A statewide seat belt enforcement effort is now underway as law enforcement agencies increase patrols and focus on drivers and passengers who are not properly restrained.
The crackdown is part of the national Click It or Ticket campaign, which aims to improve seat belt use and reduce injuries and fatalities on roadways.
Officials remind drivers that they can be cited not only for their own seat belt violations but also for unbuckled passengers in their vehicles.
Fines for failing to wear a seat belt start at $65, while parents or caregivers transporting a child who is not properly restrained can face a minimum fine of $82.
Safety officials encourage all motorists and passengers to buckle up on every trip, regardless of distance, as seat belts remain one of the most effective ways to prevent serious injuries in a crash.
