LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — In the past 365 days, there have been fatalities in Moore County when someone inside a motor vehicle crashed without wearing a seatbelt. Local public safety officials will begin an enhanced seatbelt enforcement campaign or Click It or Ticket in Moore County beginning on May 22.

As summer kicks off and families hit the road for vacation, the Moore County Sheriff’s Department (MCSD) will partner with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to remind motorists to Click It or Ticket. From May 22 through June 4, participating agencies across the state will increase seat belt enforcement as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) nationwide mobilization.

“Buckling up is such a simple task that can keep you and your family safe in the car,” said MCSD Captain Shane Taylor. “But it’s more than that. Buckling up is the law. Our law enforcement officers see the consequences of not buckling up. We see the loss of life. Often, it could have been prevented with the simple click of a seat belt. This should be automatic.”

Moore County has seen 18 injury crashes over the past three years with unbelted occupants including fatalities. According to NHTSA, in 2020, there were 10,893 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in the United States. In that same year, 58 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed at night (6 p.m. – 5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts. That’s why one focus of the Click It or Ticket campaign is nighttime enforcement. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.

It’s important to note that drivers are responsible for unbelted passengers under the age of 18 but an unbelted passenger over the age of 18 will be cited instead of the driver. State law now allows law enforcement to stop you solely passed on seatbelt enforcement. Previously, they would have to be stopped for another offense before being ticketed.

If you have questions about seat belt enforcement laws in the State of Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Highway Safety Office’s website. •

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