Buckle Up, Palos Heights: Police to Step Up Patrols in Month of May

Palos Heights police will be keeping a close eye out for seat belt violations this month, beginning May 9.

The Palos Heights Police Department joins the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Illinois State Police (ISP) and hundreds of local law enforcement agencies across the state to save more lives by strongly enforcing seat belt laws.

In Illinois, as of January 1, 2012, all drivers and passengers must wear seat belts in all seating positions in the car, not just the front seat.  During statewide observational surveys conducted by IDOT in 2013, the overall usage rate for rear seat occupants was 77.4 percent versus 93.7 percent for drivers and front seat passengers.

“Memorial Day weekend kicks off the busy summer driving season, and we want to ensure that everyone arrives at their destination safe and sound,” said Sgt. Jeff Crowley.  “Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone, front or back seat, who is not wearing a seat belt.”

In 2012, back seat passengers in Illinois accounted for 46 fatalities and over 5,000 injuries.  Out of those 46 fatalities, 30 of them were not wearing their seat belt. 

“Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists still are not buckling up, especially in the back seat,” Crowley said.  “Our goal is to save more lives, so the Palos Heights Police  will be out enforcing seat belt laws around the clock, looking for those who are not buckled up, in all seating positions.  If you are caught not wearing your seat belt, you will be ticketed.”

Provisional numbers show that during the 2013 Memorial Day weekend there were three fatalities and almost 600 injuries on Illinois roadways.  Two of those fatalities were alcohol-related.  

While this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign runs from May 9 through May 26, officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round. 

For more information about the Click It or Ticket campaign, please visit www.buckleupillinois.org.