'Click it or ticket' targets teens

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Nevada Highway Patrol, and other law enforcement agencies in a "Click It or Ticket" enforcement aimed to get more teens to buckle up.

Teens are consistently ranked among those least likely to buckle up. In 2007, 4,842 teen passenger vehicle occupants, ages 16 to 20, were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide. More than half of those killed were not buckled up at the time of the fatal crash.

In Nevada, 34 passenger vehicle drivers and passengers, ages 16 to 20, were killed during 2007 in motor vehicle crashes, and nearly 70 percent (20 teens) were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crash.

"Throughout the month of May, law enforcement in our area will be stepping-up enforcement efforts and buckling down on those who aren't buckled up," said Sgt. Mick Doan, traffic enforcement sergeant for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. "We're going to be out in force showing zero tolerance and making sure drivers and passengers of all ages are buckling up - day and night."

"Any motorist pulled over for violating a traffic law will receive an additional citation if they aren't buckled up."

Seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, according to officials.

Nationally, 72 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who were involved in a fatal crash and were restrained survived.

Too many Nevada motorists still need a tough reminder, so officers are stepping up enforcement efforts, Doan said.

"Our goal is to save more lives this year by convincing all drivers and passengers - but especially teens -that seat belts save lives," Doan said. "We will be out in force reminding motorists that unless you want to risk a ticket, or worse, your life, remember, 'Click It or Ticket,' day and night. No exceptions, no excuses."

For more information on "Click It or Ticket," visit www.nhtsa.gov/link/ciot.htm

BUCKLE UP OR PAY UP

n Any adult in a vehicle who is not wearing a seat belt can fined $67. A driver age 18 or over can be fined $67 for having passengers ages 5 through 17 who aren't buckled in.

n Any driver can be fined $107 for having a child under 5 not secured in a child-restraint seat.