Law enforcement agencies throughout Arizona will increase seat belt enforcement from May 19 to June 1 as part of the national Click It or Ticket campaign. The initiative, organized by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aims to encourage drivers and passengers to use seat belts.
In Arizona, the effort aligns with the “Buckle Up, It’s the Law!” campaign, which enforces a strict policy on seat belt and child safety seat compliance. Agencies across the state are coordinating efforts for enhanced traffic patrols during Memorial Day travel.
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has received a $5,000 grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to support these increased enforcement activities.
“Wearing a seat belt should be second nature — for drivers and passengers alike,” said Pinal County Sheriff Ross Teeple. “It’s a simple step that can prevent serious injury or even save your life in a crash. It’s also the law. We’ll be out there making sure the message is clear: no excuses, buckle up.”
National data shows that in 2023, 91.9% of people wore seat belts, but nearly one in ten did not. Officers plan to issue citations both during daytime and nighttime hours, with extra attention given to late-night drivers due to higher rates of unbuckled fatalities at those times.
Statistics from NHTSA indicate men are less likely than women to wear seat belts; over half of male crash fatalities in 2023 involved individuals not wearing seat belts compared to 41% among women.
The campaign’s primary objective is to reduce injuries and fatalities by increasing seat belt use.
More information about Click It or Ticket can be found at NHTSA.gov/ClickIt.
