The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Delaware Public Health District, and SAFE Delaware County Coalition are joining forces for the Click It or Ticket campaign, which runs from May 22 through June 4 surrounding the Memorial Day holiday. The purpose of the campaign is to spread awareness of the importance of wearing a safety belt through education and enforcement for those who drive on Delaware County roadways.
This year’s Click It or Ticket campaign kickoff event is planned for 12 p.m. on Friday, May 19, at Peterson Plaza located next to the Delaware County Courthouse.
“Our goal is simple, we want motorists to make good choices when they get behind the wheel, and this includes buckling up,” said Lt. Robert A. Curry, Delaware post commander. “It only takes a few seconds to put on your safety belt and it is the simplest thing you can do to ensure the safety of yourself and everyone else in your vehicle.”
In Delaware County from 2018 through 2022, there have been 25 people killed and 472 people injured in crashes where the occupants were not wearing a safety belt when one was available.
“Properly wearing a safety belt saves lives and reduces the risk of injuries in a crash,” said Jackie Bain, SAFE coordinator. “Motorists must commit to buckling up every trip, every time, so they are protected if they are involved in a crash.”
Ohio’s safety belt law remains a secondary violation. However, in an effort to save lives, troopers and coalition law enforcement partners will continue to enforce safety belt laws when motorists are stopped for other violations and are found to not be properly wearing their safety belt.
The public is encouraged to call #677 to report dangerous or impaired drivers, as well as drug activity.
Story submitted by the Delaware Public Health District.
