Westerly Police Launch 'Click It Or Ticket' Seatbelt Campaign

WESTERLY, RI — The Westerly Police Department wants all drivers to buckle up for safety, and officers will be watching for seat belt scofflaws and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy in the coming weeks.

Beginning May 17, police in multiple communities plan to crack down on drivers who do not wear seat belts, said Westerly Police Captain Steven Johnson. Westerly police are joining law enforcement agencies across the nation in mobilizing the border-to-border "Click It or Ticket" campaign.

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"As we kick off the busy summer driving season, it is critical that everyone buckles up every time they go out, day and night— no excuses," said Johnson in a release. "Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt, including drivers that have neglected to properly buckle their children."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that of 37,133 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2017, 47 percent were not wearing seat belts, Johnson said.

"Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still no buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting into a crash is even greater," said Johnson. "We want to make this the safest summer possible." He said a seat belt often means the difference between life and death.

This year's Click It or Ticket law enforcement campaign will run from May 17 to June 6.