Law enforcement will begin the Click It or Ticket Campaign to assure motorists are utilizing their seat belts in attempt to reduce injuries and fatalities along our roadways.  Police ask that you take two very important seconds to make sure you and your passengers are buckled up to help!

Maryland’s primary seat belt law has been in effect since 1997.  Since 2000, Maryland’s seat belt use rate has risen from 85.0% among front seat drivers and passengers, to an all-time high of 94.7% in 2010. (MHSO)

Also during that time, the number of fatalities experienced on Maryland roadways has fallen from 617 in 200 to an all-time low of 550 in 2009. (Maryland TSAD)
According to a study conducted by the University of North Carolina, unbuckled drivers are more likely to be male, have less education, have numerous traffic violations on their records (DUI, running red lights, following too closely, speeding), and have no health insurance. The percentage of unbelted drivers without health insurance was higher by a ratio of two to one. (UNC)

Seat belt use is historically higher on state highways where people feel at greater risk of dying in a collision. However, collision statistics show that people are more likely to die in vehicle collisions on local county roads – where motorists are less likely to buckle up. Moreover, 86% of traffic crashes occur within 15 miles of home.

Research shows that people who don’t buckle up are less likely to require their children to buckle up. A study conducted by the National Safety Council found that child passengers of adults who were unbuckled were also unbuckled in 75% of the cases. About 60% of the kids who die in vehicle collisions each year are not buckled up. (NSC, NHTSA)

When used correctly, seat belts reduce the risk of injury and death by about 70%, according to local and national research. (NHTSA, HIPRC)

National estimates claim that each traffic fatality costs taxpayers $4.3 million in comprehensive costs. (National Safety Council)

Picture:  Deputy Deward Connor and DFC. Todd Svehla of the Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff, Chief Charles Rhodes of the Centreville Police Department, Cpl. C. L. Hurt and Cpl. Frank Stanco of the Maryland State Police, Centreville Barrack.