The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the Click-It or Ticket mobilization that kicks off Monday, May 21^st and runs through Sunday, June 3^rd.  Click-It or Ticket is part of the Select Traffic Enforcement Program sponsored by the Arkansas Highway Safety Office and the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA).

     The Click-It or Ticket campaign is designed to help save lives by cracking down on those won don’t buckle up.  Sheriff’s Deputies will be putting in hours on their days off to participate in this program.  While on that duty, their only assignment will be to observe and stop motorists who they deputies notice are not wearing their seat belts. 

     According to NHTSA, national statistics indicate that approximately 61% of vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes during overnight hours were not wearing their seat belts.  During daytime hours, this number is approximately 42%.  In 2010, research statistics indicated that an estimated 12,546 lives were saved nationwide because vehicle occupants were wearing their seat belts when involved in traffic collisions.  The goal of the Sheriff’s Office and the Click-It or Ticket program is to save lives.

     Arkansas law requires all drivers and front seat passengers to be seat-belted in.  All passengers under 15 years old must be seat-belted, regardless of where they are riding in the vehicle.  Children under 6 years of age or under 60 pounds must be in a child safety seat that is properly installed in the vehicle. 

     Motorists should buckle up every time they go out.  Deputies are prepared to ticket anyone they find not buckled up on the roadways.  The Sheriff’s Office encourages roadway safety and hopes everyone has a fun, but safe, upcoming holiday weekend.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff