GSP Part of Operation Click It or Ticket This Week

(ATLANTA) - State troopers across Georgia are keeping a close eye out for occupant protection violations this week as part of Operation Click It or Ticket, Georgia's high visibility seat belt enforcement program. The enforcement wave lasts through the Thanksgiving holiday period which ends Sunday, November 28 at midnight.

     Colonel George Ellis, Georgia State Patrol Commander, said troopers throughout the state will be conducting concentrated patrols and road checks throughout the week to remind motorists to buckle up and take the time to properly restrain children. "The efforts of the law enforcement community in Georgia has been instrumental in raising the seat belt usage rate in Georgia to 86.4 percent, the highest ever," Colonel Ellis said. "More drivers than ever are realizing the importance of wearing a seat belt thanks to the enforcement and education efforts of law enforcement."

     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 the front seat passenger in 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 without insurance or driving on a suspended license. Colonel Ellis encouraged motorists who will be traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday week to always wear their seat belt no matter how short the trip may be 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 Ellis said. "An improperly installed child seat is just as dangerous as the child not using safety equipment at all."

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