Buckle Up Every Trip, Every Time

November 19, 2013

“Buckle Up Every Trip, Every Time”

The Fort Myers Police Department is conducting a Click It or Ticket operation. The extra enforcement will take place now through the Thanksgiving weekend.  Drivers can expect to see digital message boards in the City reminding them to “buckle-up and be safe.” In addition, officers will work at various intersections looking for violations.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) seat belts are the single most effective piece of safety equipment in a vehicle.  When worn correctly seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat car occupants by 45- percent and by 60-percent in pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans. .  The NHTSA says that during the 2011 Thanksgiving period, 249 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. Fifty percent of those killed were not wearing seat belts.

Police will be ticketing unbelted drivers and passengers around the clock—day and night. If you see a digital message board in your travels, you will likely see officers enforcing the law. Police would also like to remind motorists of the law that allows police to ticket solely for not wearing seatbelts, without observing another traffic violation.  Seatbelt citations in the City of Fort Myers carry a fine of $113.FMPD asks everyone who will be on the roads to please buckle up – every trip, every time – so you can give thanks this holiday season and enjoy time with your loved ones.