Batavia, OH – In an effort to save more lives on Clermont County roadways, state and local law enforcement agencies are teaming up across the nation to crack down on motorists who are not buckling up. The Clermont County Safe Communities and the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office will launch a Click It or Ticket campaign on Monday, May 20, 2013 beginning at 10:00 at the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office with keynote speakers Chief Sabransky of Loveland , Sheriff Rodenberg of Clermont County and Chief Bailey of Miami Township.
“The Click It or Ticket campaign works! In 2011 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide,” said Carol Kisner with the Clermont County Safe Communities. Kisner explained high-visibility enforcement is credited with increasing the national seat belt usage rate from 58% in 1994 to an estimated observed usage rate of 86% in 2012—an all-time high rate. As of September 2012, Clermont County’s seat belt rate is 76%, which is significantly lower than the national average.
Younger motorists, young men in particular, are most at risk. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Among teens and young adults, ages 18-34, who were killed in fatal crashes in 2011, 64% were NOT buckled up at the time of the crash, the highest percentage of any age group. The number jumps to 66% when only men in this age group are included. Pickup truck drivers and passengers are also at risk. In 2011, 65% of pickup truck occupants who were killed in traffic crashes were not buckled up at the time of the crashes, compared to 46% of passenger car occupants who were killed from not buckling up.
All motorists should buckle up every time they go out, both day and night. The Click It or Ticket mobilization has increased seat belt use and saved many lives over the years, but there is still much more that can be done. High-visibility enforcement and encouraging loved ones to buckle up can turn thousands of lives lost into many more lives saved. “Seat belt use saves thousands of lives across America each year. Law enforcement agencies across the country and especially here in Clermont County are prepared to ticket anyone not buckled up…no warnings and no excuses,” stated Clermont County Sheriff Rodenberg.
The Click It or Ticket kick-off event is open to the public and Clermont County employees are highly encouraged to attend. The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office is located at 4470 State Route 222, Batavia, Ohio and their phone number is (513) 732-7500.
View an interview with the Clermont County Safety Community about the 2012 Click It or Ticket campaign and Motorcycle Awareness Month at website: www.clermontcountyohio.gov/video0412seatbelt.aspx
For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director, Annette Meagher at (513) 441-9647 or by e-mail, ameagher@clermontcountyohio.gov