DARLINGTON - Law enforcement agencies all throughout Lafayette County will team up with hundreds of others throughout Wisconsin for the Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement mobilization that starts today and continues through May 31, according to the Lafayette County Law Enforcement Administrator's Association (LCLEAA).
During Click It or Ticket, officers will be patrolling in greater numbers and for longer hours, including at night when safety belt use declines. The objective during the mobilization is not to write more tickets, but to save lives and reduce injuries through voluntary compliance with Wisconsin's mandatory safety belt law. However, if voluntary compliance fails, officers will enforce the law. Excuses won't be accepted and unbuckled vehicle occupants won't get a warning if stopped by an officer.
LCLEAA member agencies want area motorists to know consistent safety belt use is the most effective protection against being ejected from a vehicle or thrown around violently inside it during a crash. An estimated 237 lives were saved by safety belt use in Wisconsin in 2007, and 100 percent safety belt use could have saved an additional 137 lives, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Legislation expected to pass will change Wisconsin's seatbelt law on July 1, 2009, to include an increase in the fine and give officers authority to stop motorists for nothing more than a seatbelt violation. Currently, officers only can enforce the seatbelt law after having stopped the motorist for a separate moving traffic violation.
LCLEAA member agencies participating in the campaign include the Wisconsin State Patrol, Lafayette County Sheriff's Department, and the police departments from Belmont, Blanchardville, Argyle, South Wayne and Darlington.
During Click It or Ticket, officers will be patrolling in greater numbers and for longer hours, including at night when safety belt use declines. The objective during the mobilization is not to write more tickets, but to save lives and reduce injuries through voluntary compliance with Wisconsin's mandatory safety belt law. However, if voluntary compliance fails, officers will enforce the law. Excuses won't be accepted and unbuckled vehicle occupants won't get a warning if stopped by an officer.
LCLEAA member agencies want area motorists to know consistent safety belt use is the most effective protection against being ejected from a vehicle or thrown around violently inside it during a crash. An estimated 237 lives were saved by safety belt use in Wisconsin in 2007, and 100 percent safety belt use could have saved an additional 137 lives, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Legislation expected to pass will change Wisconsin's seatbelt law on July 1, 2009, to include an increase in the fine and give officers authority to stop motorists for nothing more than a seatbelt violation. Currently, officers only can enforce the seatbelt law after having stopped the motorist for a separate moving traffic violation.
LCLEAA member agencies participating in the campaign include the Wisconsin State Patrol, Lafayette County Sheriff's Department, and the police departments from Belmont, Blanchardville, Argyle, South Wayne and Darlington.