HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s Police Department is participating in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Click It or Ticket national seat belt enforcement mobilization, serving as a reminder that seat belts save lives.
“Seat belts save lives – but only if they’re worn. Click It or Ticket reminds everyone to wear their seat belt every trip, every time, and officers will be patrolling our roads to enforce these lifesaving laws,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens.
According to US DOT research, in 2017, seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives. From 2013 to 2017, seat belts saved almost 70,000 lives.
Among young adults 18 to 34 killed in crashes in 2018, more than half (58%) were completely unrestrained, one of the highest percentages for all age groups.
“This campaign combines education and enforcement to promote voluntary compliance,” said Southeastern Police Lieutenant Patrick Gipson. “A safer campus is our goal. Everyone should wear their seatbelt on every trip, even if it’s just down the road a short distance.”
Southeastern’s Police Department’s participation in Click It or Ticket is funded in part by a grant through the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.