Local Click It or Ticket campaign underway

Whether traveling in town this holiday weekend or taking to the highway to visit friends and family afar, law enforcement will be stepping up patrols to keep drivers safe on the roadways.
Observed May 21 through June 3, Click It or Ticket is a national program aimed at increasing the use of seat belts.
“In that two-week time period, we have 72 hours of federal grant time designated for traffic enforcement for seat belt safety,” Wyandot County Sheriff Mike Hetzel said. “Seat belts certainly save lives. That’s been a proven thing and we are out there for everyone’s safety. Memorial Day is the official start of summer and we want to make sure that summer is a safe and enjoyable time for everyone.”
The Upper Sandusky Police Department stepped up its patrols Monday, when the campaign began.
“Officers have already begun ticketing traffic offenders who are caught without their seat belt fastened,” USPD Chief David Olds said. “Our officers will be taking part throughout the entire program in an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of not wearing safety belts. We would ask the citizens and visitors of Upper Sandusky to please wear your seat belt at all times, not just during this campaign, as their use will reduce traffic crash fatalities.”
Sycamore Police Chief Richard Blankenship said his department will be stepping up its patrols during the long holiday weekend.
“During this time, we will pay special attention to those who drink and drive, and are not wearing their seat belts,” Blankenship said. “I would like to stress that the single best defense for a person’s protection in a motor vehicle crash is correctly wearing their seat belt. Being a responsible driver aids in making our communities a safer place to live.”
Carey Police also will be putting more manpower on the street for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
“We will have at least one officer and one extra cruiser out this weekend,” CPD Chief Dan Walter said. “All you have to do is look in the newspaper and see all the car crashes. Our statistics are really off the charts this year with deaths throughout the state. You really need to be safe out there and use your seat belt.”

By CHANDA NEELY
Staff writer

Posted by Daily Chief on May 24, 2012. Filed under Local News,Recent Headlines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry