(Franklin/Ripley Counties, IN) – The Franklin/Ripley County Traffic Safety Partnership (FRCTSP), which consists of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Batesville Police Department, is teaming up with law enforcement from across the state to urge people to buckle up prior to the national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement effort.
The national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs now through June 2.
The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).
“We want seat belt use to be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike,” said ICJI Traffic Safety Director. “Buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to limit injury or save your life during a crash.”
Indiana’s seat belt use rate in 2023 was 93.2%.
Buckling up can reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash by up to 65%.
Without a seat belt fastened, people can be ejected from a vehicle and killed.
“If the enforcement effort alerts people to the dangers of unrestrained driving, we’ll consider our mission to be a success,” said Sgt. Adam Henson, FRCTSP Traffic Safety Coordinator. “If you know a friend or family member who does not buckle up when they drive, please ask them to consider changing their habits. Help us spread this lifesaving message before one more friend or family member is killed as a result of this senseless inaction. Seat belts safe lives, and everyone-front seat and back, child and adult-needs to remember to buckle up.”
For more information on the Click it or Ticket seat belt enforcement blitz, visit NHTSA.gov/ClickIt.
