Every year, all levels of law enforcement within Washington State participate in the Click-it or Ticket campaign in order to ensure that all motorists are properly wearing their seat belts.
This year the “Click it or Ticket” campaign returns May 18 to May 31, during which drivers can expect to see more patrols looking specifically for unrestrained persons within vehicles, with special attention to unbelted children.
Fines for improper use of, or failure to use, a seat belt is $124, plus the shame of being pulled over for something that would have taken less than 2 seconds to complete. If a person 16 years of age and over is caught without their belt on, the infraction goes towards the individual not the driver, however for passengers under the age of 16, the driver is held responsible.
According to RCW 46.61.688, a driver can’t even operate the vehicle if their children are not wearing their seat belts or child restraints, such as a child’s booster seat.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 2.2 million adults and passengers are treated for motor vehicle related injuries in 2012, with more than 3,819 deaths between 2003 and 2012.
Though, Washitonians use their belts 97-percent of the time, according to the CDC, rather than the national average of 86-percent seat belt use.
Go Washington!
For more information, please visit the CDC’s website.
