“We haven't been able to participate in Click it or Ticket for the past several years because we just haven't had the manpower necessary,” said Lt. Terry Chamness of the BSPD. “However, we're finally at a point where we can get the officers out on the streets.”
And motorists who believe law enforcement's bark is worse than its bite may want to reconsider, as the manpower going into the program — not to mention the fines if you're caught without your safety belt — are certainly substantial.
“The grant money will allow us to keep an officer on the road for five four-hours shifts each day,” said Chamness. “And these officers won't be doing their normal duties. They will be looking specifically for seat belt violations. So, if you decide not to buckle up, there's going to be an officer looking just for you.
“And if you do get caught, there won't be any talking your way out of a ticket. We've had a zero tolerance rule for seat belt violations since 2002. You'll get a ticket, and the fine from Municipal Court will be $147. It's also a moving violation, so it will effect what you're paying for insurance.”
Chamness said the program, which targets the Memorial Day holiday, has been a big success in the past, and he and other law enforcement officials hope to see it flourish this year.
“When we quit doing Click it or Ticket about three years ago, safety belt compliance was at about 94 percent,” said Chamness. “It's fallen to about 88 to 89 percent since then. We're hoping by participating in the program once again we'll be able to get that number higher again.”
If a swat to the pocketbook isn't enough to encourage drivers to buckle up, Chamness said the statistics in fatal traffic accidents should.
“Wearing a safety belt increases the odds of surviving a crash by more than 50 percent, and in pickups,that number increases to 80 percent,” he said. “This is especially true for children and infants. So, parents remember to buckle up yourself and your children.
“A properly fastened safety belt is the best way to avoid death or serious injury in a vehicle crash. Lap belts should fit snugly across the hips, not over the stomach. Shoulder belts go over the shoulder and across the center of the chest.”
Since the start of the Click it or Ticket campaign in 2002, Texas has seen a 15 percent increase in safety belt compliance. In 2008, a study by the Texas Transportation Institute revealed that 91.2 percent of Texans were buckling up. This year, TxDOT hopes to increase safety belt compliance to 93.25 percent, according to state officials.
“When you are the driver, you’re responsible for making sure all passengers are buckled up — especially the young ones,” said Chamness. “Children under 17 buckle up only 70 percent of the time — and ten percent of those are buckled up incorrectly. The fact remains that nearly 3,500 people die on Texas roadways every year. Many of those deaths might be prevented by the proper use of safety belts.”

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it