Lombard Police urge motorists to 'Click It or Ticket'

LOMBARD, Illinois—The Lombard Police Department is currently providing extra seat belt safety and impaired driving checks through Memorial Day weekend.

As of January 1, 2012, everyone, no matter the age or seating position, is required to wear a safety belt.

“I urge everyone driving on Illinois roadways during the holiday weekend and always to drive carefully, do not drive impaired and, most importantly, buckle up each and every trip, night or day. Remember, the best defense against an impaired driver or a distracted driver is a safety belt,” said Lombard Police Chief, Raymond Byrne.

The Illinois Department of Transportation's Division of Traffic Safety (IDOT/DTS) is proud that Illinois has a 92.9 % daytime safety belt usage rate. However, far too many drivers and passengers still do not buckle up.

“To lose a loved one is a terrible thing to experience, but to lose one's life when it might have been saved by taking two seconds to buckle a safety belt is truly

senseless,” said Byrne.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics show that those least likely to buckle up are teens, young adults, males, motorists traveling on rural roads and individuals traveling in pickup trucks, especially during the late

night hours. Data shows late-night hours are when the highest percentage of motorists die in alcohol-involved crashes and the lowest percentage of vehicle occupants are properly restrained.

“If you fail to buckle up during this holiday period, you run the risk of getting a ticket, or worse, being injured or killed,” said Officer Paula Krupiczowicz of Lombard's Traffic Safety Unit . The same applies when you have been drinking and choose to drive,” added Krupiczowicz. “We want all drivers and passengers to Click It or Ticket, day and night — and remember, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

Regular safety belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, according to 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%, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50%. Remember, the best defense against an impaired driver is a safety belt.

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