Lombard police to be out in force this Thanksgiving holiday

Police and safety officials in Lombard are reminding residents to fasten their seat belts over the Thanksgiving holiday period or run the risk of receiving a ticket.

“Whether you're going across town or across the state this Thanksgiving, please make sure you and everyone riding with you are wearing their seat belts,” said Lombard Police Chief Raymond Byrne. “You may be enjoying the holiday, but rest assured that police will still be out in force, as part of this year's Click It or Ticket campaign, making sure motorist road trips are as safe as possible.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is proud that Illinois has a 93.6 percent daytime safety belt usage rate. However, far too many drivers and passengers still do not buckle up. In Illinois, during the Thanksgiving holiday period in 2011, eight vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle traffic crashes--four of those deaths involved a drinking driver--and more than 800 individuals were injured.

“Fastening a seat belt takes only a second or two, and costs you nothing. Not wearing a seat belt, especially during this Thanksgiving period, will definitely cost you a ticket at the very least, or even worse, your life,” said Byrne.

Seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Research has shown that when lap and shoulder belts are used properly, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.

“We want all drivers and passengers to Click It or Ticket, day and night—and remember Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” said Lombard Police Officer Paula Krupiczowicz.

For more information about the Click It or Ticket and the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaigns, visit www.buckleupillinois.org.