To curb traffic deaths and ensure drivers and passengers are safe while on the road, law enforcement officers from across Michigan made more than 20,100 traffic stops during the Click It or Ticket campaign from May 23 to June 5.
The traffic stops resulted in 7,952 seat belt and child restraint citations.
“Crash survivability is dramatically increased when you buckle up, it’s as simple as that,” Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, said in a release. “During another summer of fun in Michigan, we are reminding everyone to take safety along for the ride by using their seat belt and a designated driver. This statewide awareness and enforcement effort is a necessary part of our ongoing efforts to reduce crash-related injuries and save lives.”
Also during the campaign, the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center released provisional information showing there were seven traffic deaths during this year’s Memorial Day period, which is the lowest number of traffic fatalities for this time in roughly 40 years.
In 2015, eight people died in traffic crashes during this time, and there were 20 traffic fatalities during the 2014 holiday period.
Michigan law requires drivers, front seat passengers and passengers 15 and younger in any seating position to be buckled up. Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old of 4’9” tall, and children under 4 years old must be in the back seat.
