Meridian Police Department Launches Click It or Ticket

To Help Save Lives

Enforcement Blitz Buckling Down on Those Not Buckled Up – Day and Night.

Meridian, MS – In 2006, 15,046 passenger vehicle occupants died in traffic crashes between the nighttime hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – and 64 percent of those passenger vehicle occupants killed were NOT wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crashes.

The proportion of unbuckled deaths at night is considerably higher than the alarming 46 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who were killed and were not wearing their seats belts during daytime hours across the nation that same year.

That’s why The Meridian Police Department announced today that it is joining with state and local law enforcement agencies and highway safety officials May 19 to June 1 to launch an aggressive national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization to increase seat belt use and reduce highway fatalities – with a new emphasis this year on convincing more motorists to buckle up – day and night.

“Research shows us that there is a problem with drivers and passengers not buckling up at night – when the risk of a fatal crash is greatest,” Capt. Rick McCary said. “Clearly this is an indication that these individuals are not taking the law seriously. That’s why we’ll be out in force making sure that all passengers, in all vehicles, are buckled up – day and night.”

Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. In 2006, 72 percent of passenger vehicle occupants involved in a fatal crash who were buckled up survived the crashes, and that when worn correctly, seat belts have 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.

Yet nearly one in five Americans (18% nationally) still fail to regularly wear their seat belts when driving or riding in motor vehicles, according to NHTSA’s observational seat belt studies.Stepped-up law enforcement activities will be conducted during the national Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization. The mobilization is being supported by a projected $7.5 million in paid national advertising and additional state advertising to encourage all motorists, but especially motorists at night, to always buckle up.

“Seat belts clearly save lives. But unfortunately, too many folks still need a tough reminder, so we are going to be out in force buckling down on those who are not buckled up,” said McCary. “Wearing your seat belt costs you nothing, but not wearing it certainly will. So unless you want to risk a ticket, or worse – your life — please remember to buckle up day and night – Click It or Ticket.”

For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.

Rick McCary

Administrative Captain

Meridian Police Department

2415 6th Street

Meridian, MS 39301

Office: (601) 484-6830 Fax: (601) 484-6832

Cell: (601) 479-5757