Click it or ticket aims to reduce road fatalities, increase safety belt use
The Bennington Banner and Vermont Public Radio report that each year the annual Click It Or Ticket campaign aims to "increas[e] the rate of motorists wearing seat belts and reduc[e] the number of injuries and fatalities on roads across the country." During the two-week campaign, an additional 44 police officers will be on the roads. These officers will pull over drivers to perform safety checks, during which cars are "checked for wipers, lights, car seats, safety belts, [and] all safety features."
"The extra officers are made possible through federal funding that is distributed through the National Highway Safety Program." Notably in Bennington, "after last year's campaign, seat belt use in the area went from 82 percent to 85 percent. This year, the numbers look better: It appears that nearly 90 percent are buckled up." Statewide last year, 87% of the people pulled over were wearing safety belts compared to 65% six years ago.
VCF Staff
State gets funds for seat belt use
Vermont Public Radio reports that "the state is receiving $3.7 million from the federal government as a bonus for transportation and public safety programs." The bonus is in response to the success of the state's seat belt campaign called Click It of Ticket campaign. "During the latest campaign 87.3 percent of motorists were wearing their seat belts." According to Gov. Jim Douglas, this number represents the "highest rate of seat belt use ever documented in Vermont." Notably, "it was the second consecutive year Vermont exceeded the 85 percent threshold, making the state eligible for the [bonus]. Before the Click It or Ticket campaigns began in 2002 Vermont's seat belt rate was 67.4 percent."