Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Jan 7, 2013) — Law enforcement agencies throughout North Dakota will conduct increased seatbelt enforcement from Friday, January 11 through Saturday, January 19, 2013.

During this time, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) will provide funding to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, North Dakota Sheriff’s Offices and local Police Departments to have additional officers on duty in an effort to remind motorists to buckle up.

Safety Director, Mark Nelson, says “This increased enforcement period is part of the statewide “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign. The highest number of crashes in 2011 occurred in the month of January. Typically, two-thirds of fatal crash victims were not wearing a seatbelt.
In 2011, 69% of individuals killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing seatbelts. To do their part, law enforcement across the state will focus their efforts on seatbelt enforcement to keep all drivers and passengers safe by ensuring seatbelts are buckled.

Nelson adds , ” Wearing a seatbelt is the first thing you should do when you get into a vehicle, Buckling up will dramatically increase chances of survival during a crash. During this increased enforcement period our goal is to remind people how important seatbelts really are. We want everyone to buckle up every trip, every time.”