Livingston County residents and others across the state are being reminded to buckle up as the fall “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign is continuing this week.

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning coordinates the effort and police agencies across the state have been out conducting stepped up seatbelt enforcement as the fall months are also a very deadly time of year. OHSP Communication Strategist Kari Arend says October is the second deadliest month of the year - behind only July - for fatalities for unrestrained passengers. Statistics show that 192 people were killed in crashes during the month of October in 2018 who were not wearing seatbelts. She says wearing a seatbelt is the simplest thing someone can do when traveling in a vehicle to save lives and reduce injuries in a crash. Arend noted that Michigan’s seat belt use rate is over 94% and currently higher than the national average but it’s not 100% and they want people to buckle up at all times because it is very important. She tells WHMI the fine for not wearing a seat belt is $65 but the loss of a life is much more. Arend noted Michigan law requires all drivers and front seat passengers to be buckled up. Even though it’s not mandatory to be buckled up in the backseat or for someone over age 15, Arend says they still encourage everyone on every trip to buckle up because it really is the safest and quickest thing someone can do to save their life in a vehicle.

The “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign runs through Halloween. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is among the local agencies taking part. It received grant money for seatbelt enforcement in Brighton Township and says that’s where they’ve had the most un-belted fatal crashes. (JM)