As the temperatures increase over Memorial Day weekend, so do the chances of getting a traffic violation for not wearing a seatbelt.
Indiana State Police released a statement Tuesday regarding the national Click it or Ticket campaign that started Monday and runs until June 3.
Nearly half the passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2016 were unrestrained, according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If the seats in Worthen Arena werecar crashes, 5,520 out of the 11,500 seats would represent passengers who were killed in because they were not wearing their seatbelt.
Those numbers soared from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. — increasing to 56 percent or 6,440 Worthen seats — according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This large proportion of deaths has led Indiana State Police to focus on nighttime enforcement during the national campaign.
“Buckling up is the law,” said Indiana Police Superintendent Doug Carter. “The consequences of not buckling up is real and can include the loss of life. Often, tragedy could have been prevented with the use of a seat belt.”
The maximum penalty for a seatbelt violation is $25 — the price of a new sweater, a car wash or 5.6 tall caramel frappuccinos from Starbucks.
“Help us spread this life-saving message before a friend or family member is killed as a result of this senseless inaction,” said Indiana State Police Sgt. Rich Myers. “Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to remember to buckle up.“
Contact Pauleina Brunnemer with comments at pdbrunnemer@bsu.edu or on Twitter @pauleina15.
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