The Superior Express -

With more people traveling during the summer months, the Kansas Department of Transportation reminds motorists of the importance of wearing seat belts every time they are in a vehicle.  

“Many people believe they’re safe without a seat belt in a larger vehicle, such as a pickup truck, or if they’re traveling on rural roads,” said Calvin Reed, acting secretary. “Statistics show this isn’t true. Wearing a seat belt each time you get in any vehicle – whether traveling five blocks or 50 miles – is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from injury or from dying in a crash.”  

Law enforcement agencies across Kansas will be supporting this focus on safety by participating in the national Click It or Ticket enforcement effort. The national seat belt awareness campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs from May 22 to June 4. 

“Seat belt usage is critical in all seating positions and in every type of vehicle,” said Candice Breshears, Kansas Highway Patrol Lieutenant.“Being properly buckled in the vehicle is the safest place to be in the event of a crash. Whether you are a passenger in the rear seat, a driver or an occupant of a pickup truck, or the occupants of a passenger vehicle, wearing a seat belt gives you the greatest chance of survival in a car crash.”

Vehicle safety habits are important for all passengers, including children. Unfortunately, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows when parents ride without their seat belts, the use of child restraints drops up to 40 percent.

“Parents who reinforce good vehicle safety habits can make a significant impact on their children,” said Secretary Reed. “You can’t just say it, you must show your children how important it is to buckle up. It could save their life, or your own.”

In 2022 across Kansas, 406 people lost their lives in crashes. More than 58 percent of those fatalities – 236 vehicle occupants – were not wearing seat belts.

For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/ciot .