111706 - Operation Click It or Ticket

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DPS PLANNING SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT FOR HOLIDAY

(ATLANTA)—Operation Click It or Ticket, Georgia’s high visibility seat belt enforcement program, began Monday, November 20 and will continue through Sunday, December 3.  Georgia State Troopers and officers from the Department of Public Safety’s Motor Carrier Compliance and Capitol Police divisions are making plans for concentrated enforcement efforts during the two-week period.

            Colonel Bill Hitchens, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety and Georgia State Patrol Commander, said Thursday troopers and state officers will be conducting concentrated patrols and road checks during the period to remind motorists to buckle up and take the time to properly restrain children.  “Sadly, each holiday period more than one-half of the people killed in motor vehicle crashes are not using seat belts,” Colonel Hitchens said.  “Many would be alive today had they taken the two seconds to buckle up before their trip.”

            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. 

“Georgia law enforcement officers enforce seat belt and child restraint laws to save lives,” Colonel Hitchens said.  “Seat belts should be worn and children should be properly restrained at all times in a motor vehicle, no matter how short the trip will be.”

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