Law enforcement agencies across the region have kicked off the “Click It or Ticket” campaign that runs through June 2.
Officials from PennDOT, the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, Buckle Up PA, and police agencies announced Thursday the border-to-border seat belt enforcement campaign with support from municipal police departments and the Pennsylvania State Police.
Through enforcement and a public awareness campaign, a “zero tolerance” message will be sent to those who do not buckle up. A massive police enforcement effort will take place next Monday in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, officials said.
“Under Pennsylvania’s law, all drivers and front seat passengers must wear a seat belt. If you are transporting passengers ages 8 to 18, they must wear a seatbelt regardless of where they are seated in the vehicle. Children under the age of 4, must be in an approved child safety seat and children under 2 must be in a rear-facing car seat until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the car seat manufacturer. Children age 4 to up to age 8 must be restrained in a booster seat,” PennDOT said in a press release.
Data from PennDOT in 2017 indicated that there were 4,836 unbelted crashes in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, causing 79 deaths.
As part of the public awareness campaign, the Philadelphia Union soccer team will be teaming up with PennDOT.
