Police Stepping up Enforcement of Traffic Laws for Holiday Weekend

cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by MSVG

I know it gets crazy out there during the holidays, but that’s what traffic laws are for. People are everywhere and it can get nuts on the highways as people drive their cars as if they are on an abandoned parking lot, and everyone seems a tad bit more irritable. But hey, we have to remember (regardless of the $200 42 inch Sharp TV Best Buy is offering for Black Friday) that we must take our time, properly merge, make sure we wear our seat belts and really watch out for everything and everyone around us as we drive.

If you live in some select states (Illinois included) throughout the Midwest, Law Enforcement is going to enforce all traffic laws to ensure that you take your time and are being safe by aggressively going after any traffic violators for this weekend, particularly, though what they call “The Click It or Ticket Mobilization”. Check out the Official Press Release Below for exact details of the program and what you can expect to see this weekend as far as keeping the road safe.

Remember, just because you are calm and collective doesn’t mean that Speedy Joe, who is racing to beat the shopping line, is really appreciating everyone safety as he, neglectfully, speeds and makes unsafe lane changes. Watch out for those people, accommodate for every situation the best you can and you’ll make it out just fine. What good is a great deal if you have to compensate for a $100+ dollar traffic ticket?

CHICAGO, Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — During the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend state, county and local police agencies from throughout the Midwest will be stepping up enforcement of seat belt and other traffic safety laws.  The Click It or Ticket mobilization will run from November 24th through November 27th.  

“Police agencies throughout the Midwest are joining together this Thanksgiving holiday with one simple goal – to get motorists to buckle up, which will save lives on our roadways,” said Michael Witter, Regional Administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  “We want all motorists to arrive at their destinations safely.  While law enforcement officials will tell you that issuing tickets is never a pleasant experience, having to notify next of kin following a fatal crash is by far a worse scenario,” stated Witter.

In 2009 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 12,713 lives. An additional 3,688 lives could have been saved if seat belts had been worn at the time of the crashes.  NHTSA statistics also show that those least likely to buckle up are teens, young adults, males, nighttime riders, motorists traveling on rural roads, and individuals traveling in pickup trucks.

During the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday, 303 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, including 187 during nighttime hours.  According to Witter, nighttime is one of the more dangerous times on the road because seat belt use is traditionally lower.    

“Wearing a seat belt costs you nothing and may save your life or protect you from a serious, possibly life-altering injury.  Not wearing a seat belt, especially during this Thanksgiving period, will definitely cost you a ticket at the very least, and maybe even your life,” Witter continued.

“In addition to stepped-up seat belt enforcement, police will also be cracking down on impaired drivers and those driving at excessive speeds,” added Witter.  

“Anyone caught speeding will be ticketed, and anyone caught driving impaired will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Witter concluded.

State Police from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio are participating in the holiday mobilization.  

For more information about the Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign for highway safety during Thanksgiving, please visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov.

For More Information Contact:
John J. Pastuovic
630-782-0795 (office)
312-925-9092 (cell)

SOURCE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration