GSP to Participate in Operation Click It or Ticket

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

(ATLANTA)—State troopers across Georgia will be keeping a close eye out for occupant protection violations during the upcoming wave of Operation Click It or Ticket, Georgia’s high visibility seat belt enforcement program.  The enforcement wave begins Monday, November 21 and ends Sunday, December 4 at midnight.

            Colonel Bill Hitchens, Georgia State Patrol Commander, said troopers throughout the state will be conducting concentrated patrols and road checks during the week to remind motorists to buckle up and take the time to properly restrain children.  “Properly wearing a seat belt and taking the time to properly restrain children in a motor vehicle are the best protection measures you can take to survive a traffic crash,” Colonel Hitchens said.

            Georgia law requires children under the age of six to be restrained at all times in a child passenger restraining system while traveling in a passenger automobile, van or pickup truck.  Children under six who are over four feet, nine inches in height or weigh more than 40 pounds are exempt from child restraint seats but still must be in a safety belt.  Children ages 6 through 17 must be restrained by a seat belt at all times in all types of vehicles.  Adults 18 years of age and older must use seat belts while driving or while riding in the front seat of passenger vehicles, including sport utility vehicles.

            In addition to occupant protection violations, previous enforcement campaigns of Operation Click It or Ticket and its predecessor, Operation Strap ‘N Snap, have resulted in the arrests of fugitives, people driving under the influence, driving without insurance, driving stolen vehicles, and driving on a suspended license.  Colonel Hitchens encourages motorists who will be traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday period to always wear their seat belt no matter how short the trip, and to always make sure children are properly restrained.  “Adults should check child safety seats to make sure they are properly installed in their vehicles,” Colonel Hitchens said.  “An improperly installed child seat is just as dangerous as the child not using safety equipment at all.”

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