LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning released their preliminary data from its October “Click It or Ticket” campaign.
Law enforcement officers from 96 police departments, sheriff offices, and Michigan State Police posts in 36 counties conducted 7,227 traffic stops during the campaign.
Of those traffic stops, 2,108 resulted in seat belt and child restraint citations between October 17th and Halloween.
Additionally, officers issued 1,199 speeding citations, made nine alcohol-and-drug-related arrests, and 38 other felony arrests.
“Motorists need to remember that buckling up is the easiest thing they can do to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries on Michigan roads,” said Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). “Our goal is to save lives, not write tickets. Remember to buckle up every trip, every time, every passenger.”
Data released by the department indicates that seat belt use in Michigan stands at 94.4 percent, higher than the national seat belt use rate.
In Michigan, 192 people killed in traffic crashes in 2018 were not wearing a seat belt.
As a part of the campaign, officials remind citizens that Michigan law requires drivers, front seat passengers, and passengers age 15 and younger in any seating position to be buckled up. Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are eight years old or 4’9″.
The news comes as Michigan State Police and other police organizations are launching their “Eyes on 94” traffic safety campaign.
