As the Memorial Day holiday approaches, the Twin Falls Police Department, Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and other law enforcement agencies across the state are reminding all drivers of the importance of seat belts.
Law enforcement officers across Idaho are taking part in the nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign that runs May 17 through 30. During the campaign, additional officers will be on the roads enforcing Idaho’s seat belt law.
“We know that seat belts save lives but still see too many people choose not to buckle up,” said ITD Highway Safety Manager John Tomlinson. “Hopefully this effort will help Idahoans make the right choice – especially as we head into the busy summer months.”
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer and the beginning of the 100 Deadliest Days of summer driving. The 100 Deadliest Days refers to the period of time between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends when there is an increase in crashes.
In 2020, despite having fewer vehicles on the road, 35 people who died in Idaho car crashes during the summer months were not wearing seat belts.
“Buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to limit injury or save your life during a crash,” Tomlinson said. “When you use a seat belt you are increasing your odds of surviving a crash by 50 percent - it is so easy to do and we know it works.”
While officers will be issuing citations for failing to wear seat belts, Tomlinson says this isn’t about getting people in trouble, it’s about getting them home safely.