| The Sun-Times Serving Williamsville and Sherman |
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Sherman Police launches Click It or Ticket to
help save lives
During 2007, more than 14,000 people in passenger vehicles died in crashes while unbelted. About half
of these lives could have been saved if they had been wearing safety belts at the time of the crash. As sad
as this statistic is, the numbers are even worse at night than during the day, according to new figures
released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Nationwide in 2007, 14,464 passenger vehicle occupants died in highway crashes during evening and
night-time hours (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.), and fully 63 percent of those killed in crashes (8,319) were not
wearing their safety belts. By contrast, during daylight hours, 45 percent (5,917) of those killed were not
wearing safety belts.
In Illinois, the safety belt usage rate rose to 90.5 percent in 2008, and for the third straight year, Illinois
recorded the fewest fatalities on local, county and state roadways since the 1920s. However, safety belt
usage drops at night and fatalities predictably go up.
That is why the Sherman Police Department is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation’s
Division of Traffic Safety and over 500 local, county and state law enforcement agencies in supporting an
aggressive national Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement campaign from Nov. 13-29. Police will be
ticketing unbelted vehicle occupants around the clock—night and day.
“Consistent research has shown that fewer people are buckling up at night, when the risk of being in a
fatal crash is greatest.” said Sherman Police Chief Eric Smith. “That is why Illinois law enforcement officers
will be out in force at night as well as during the day to make sure that drivers and passengers take safety
belts, and safety belt laws, seriously.”
Chief Smith added that regular safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and
reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. He noted that, when worn correctly, safety belts have been proven
to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent, and by 60 percent in
pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans.
Safety belts are the single most effective piece of safety equipment in a vehicle, yet the Illinois
Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety’s observational studies show that nearly one out of
10 Illinois motorists still fail to wear a safety belt when driving or riding in a motor vehicle.
Stepped-up law enforcement activities will be conducted during the 2009 Click It or Ticket mobilization
period from Nov. 13-29. The mobilization is being supported by a $1 million paid advertising campaign,
which, along with additional local advertising, will encourage every driver and passenger to buckle up,
especially at night.
“Safety belts clearly save lives. But, unfortunately, too many folks still need a tough reminder, so we are
going to be out in force day and night in 2009 buckling down on those who are not buckled up,” said Smith.
“Wearing your safety belt costs you nothing, but not wearing it will cost you $55. So unless you want to
risk a ticket, or worse, your life, please remember to buckle up night and day. Do not forget, Click It or Ticket
is not just a campaign slogan, it’s a promise!” Smith said.
For more information, please visit www.buckleupillinois.org or www.nhtsa.gov.
help save lives
During 2007, more than 14,000 people in passenger vehicles died in crashes while unbelted. About half
of these lives could have been saved if they had been wearing safety belts at the time of the crash. As sad
as this statistic is, the numbers are even worse at night than during the day, according to new figures
released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Nationwide in 2007, 14,464 passenger vehicle occupants died in highway crashes during evening and
night-time hours (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.), and fully 63 percent of those killed in crashes (8,319) were not
wearing their safety belts. By contrast, during daylight hours, 45 percent (5,917) of those killed were not
wearing safety belts.
In Illinois, the safety belt usage rate rose to 90.5 percent in 2008, and for the third straight year, Illinois
recorded the fewest fatalities on local, county and state roadways since the 1920s. However, safety belt
usage drops at night and fatalities predictably go up.
That is why the Sherman Police Department is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation’s
Division of Traffic Safety and over 500 local, county and state law enforcement agencies in supporting an
aggressive national Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement campaign from Nov. 13-29. Police will be
ticketing unbelted vehicle occupants around the clock—night and day.
“Consistent research has shown that fewer people are buckling up at night, when the risk of being in a
fatal crash is greatest.” said Sherman Police Chief Eric Smith. “That is why Illinois law enforcement officers
will be out in force at night as well as during the day to make sure that drivers and passengers take safety
belts, and safety belt laws, seriously.”
Chief Smith added that regular safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and
reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. He noted that, when worn correctly, safety belts have been proven
to reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent, and by 60 percent in
pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans.
Safety belts are the single most effective piece of safety equipment in a vehicle, yet the Illinois
Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety’s observational studies show that nearly one out of
10 Illinois motorists still fail to wear a safety belt when driving or riding in a motor vehicle.
Stepped-up law enforcement activities will be conducted during the 2009 Click It or Ticket mobilization
period from Nov. 13-29. The mobilization is being supported by a $1 million paid advertising campaign,
which, along with additional local advertising, will encourage every driver and passenger to buckle up,
especially at night.
“Safety belts clearly save lives. But, unfortunately, too many folks still need a tough reminder, so we are
going to be out in force day and night in 2009 buckling down on those who are not buckled up,” said Smith.
“Wearing your safety belt costs you nothing, but not wearing it will cost you $55. So unless you want to
risk a ticket, or worse, your life, please remember to buckle up night and day. Do not forget, Click It or Ticket
is not just a campaign slogan, it’s a promise!” Smith said.
For more information, please visit www.buckleupillinois.org or www.nhtsa.gov.
Issue Date: Nov. 5, 2009