WABASH,Indiana — The Wabash County Sheriff’s Department announced today the completion of the national and statewide 2016 Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization campaign. During the 25 day enforcement period, 101 tickets were written for lack of seat belt usage within Wabash County.
“Plain and simple, seat belts save lives,” said Sergeant, Dan Johnson. “Reminding drivers and their occupants of the importance of wearing your seat belt is a priority we do not take lightly, and while this campaign increases that conversation during the month of May, buckling up is an action we all need to take, all year long.”
During the enforcement period, a total of 116 tickets and 71 written warnings were issued. The increased enforcement also lead to two arrests for misdemeanor driving offenses, as well as three arrests for outstanding warrants.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2015, 88.5 percent of drivers and passengers across the nation were wearing seat belts. Additionally, NHTSA statistics show in 2014 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 12,802 lives nationwide. In Indiana, in 2014, seat belt usage in passenger cars was 90.2 percent.
“The combined partnerships created through this campaign are pivotal in ensuring motorists across the state protect themselves and their passengers by buckling up,” said Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Director, Dave Murtaugh. “I want to thank all of the participating agencies for their dedication to share this message and their efforts to save lives.”
Click It or Ticket is an annual enforcement effort supported by federal highway safety funding. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute distributes funding to more than 250 participating Indiana law enforcement agencies.
For more information regarding the Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization campaign, please visit: http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsalciotlindex.html. To learn more about the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department, please visit: www.wcsd.us.