CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman remind motorists to buckle up for the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign.
Deputies of champaign county will be patrolling for a high-visibility seatbelt enforcement initiative from May 16 to Memorial Day weekend.
“Seat belt use should be an automatic habit for everyone,” said Sheriff Dustin Heuerman. “It’s not just safe; it’s the law. During this campaign, law enforcement agencies will be working together to ensure the message reaches all drivers and passengers. Buckling up is the simplest way to reduce injury or save a life in a crash.”
Illinois enacted its seat belt law 40 years ago and strengthened the law in July 2003, allowing officers to ticket motorists for failing to use their seat belt. Since the law’s introduction and upgrade, seat belt usage has surged from 15.9% in 1985 to 92.4% in 2024. However, there is still room for improvement. Law enforcement will be taking a no-excuses approach to enforcement. The key focus is nighttime enforcement, with Illinois data indicating higher rates of unrestrained fatalities at night.
In 2023, 72% of male passengers and 28% of female passengers killed in crashes were unrestrained. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is funded with federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. For more information on safe driving practices, visit ItsNotaGameIllinois.com.