Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Arkansas law enforcement is teaming up with the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office to remind everyone to buckle up as they travel for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign, which runs Nov. 24-30, aims to reduce deaths that occur when vehicle occupants do not buckle up.
According to an ASP news release, during the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday period, which it defined as 6 p.m. from Nov. 22 to 5:59 a.m. on Nov. 27, 309 passengers died in crashes nationwide. Of those 309, 44%, or 135 people, were unrestrained.
The release said that, while not wearing a seat belt can be deadly at any time of day, it is even more so at night, when nearly half of those killed in crashes were unbuckled.
“Buckle your seat belt to stay safe and follow the law,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Col. Mike Hagar in the news release. “If our law enforcement officers spot you riding without a seat belt, we will pull you over and issue a ticket. The bottom line is this: That seat belt may mean the difference between life and death. This Thanksgiving, and every day of the year, remember: Click It or Ticket.”
The Jonesboro Police Department also posted on Facebook about the campaign, warning drivers that seat belt law violation fees could be expensive.
“Fastening your seat belt is free and easy! Ticket fines are costly,” the post said. “Don’t let a seat belt violation ruin your Thanksgiving holiday.”
Arkansas law requires all adult drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seatbelts at all times. Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $45, which includes a $25 state fine and any applicable local fines. The child passenger protection law requires all children under 15 years of age to be in a seatbelt or car seat, regardless of seating position, and violations are punishable by a fine not to exceed $100.
For more information about seat belt safety and traveling safely this Thanksgiving holiday, click here or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.
