Click It or Ticket Kicks off Today in Amarillo and All Across Texas

If you are not wearing your seat belt on a regular basis, today is the day to start because the Amarillo Police Department has teamed up with the Texas Department of Transportation for the annual Click It or Ticket Campaign.
You will notice more officers out and about and if you are not wearing your seat belt, get ready because if you are caught you will get a ticket.  That includes people in the backseat.  Texas law requires that everyone in the vehicle be secured by a seat belt. Make sure your children are properly secured as well.

The Amarillo Police Department received a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to fund more officers during this campaign.

So other than not wearing a seat belt, what will officers be looking for in terms of seat belt safety?  According to the Amarillo Police Department:

All children younger than eight (8) years of age have to ride in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they are taller than 4 ft. 9 inches. The seat must be used according to the instructions of the manufacturer of the safety seat system. Many safety seat manufacturers state to not use their seats in the front seat of a vehicle. Seatbelts and shoulder straps must also be worn as they are designed (not under an arm).
3400 Texans were killed in traffic accidents last year, which was an 11% increase from 2011. Where seat belts were applicable in the fatal accidents last year, 45% of the persons killed were not restrained. Wearing a seatbelt increases the odds of surviving a serious crash by 45%. Wearing your seatbelt can not only save you the cost of a traffic citation, but can save your life or protect you from serious injury.