PennDOT, State Police Launch ‘Click It Or Ticket’ Campaign

The Phillie Phanatic is teaming up with PennDOT and Pennsylvania State Police to warn drivers to wear their seatbelts.

The national “Click It or Ticket” campaign began Monday and runs through Sunday, May 31.

The state’s campaign to get drivers to buckle up was announced recently in partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies’ mascot to increase awareness about seat belt safety as the summer travel season approaches.

Troopers in the Keystone State are teaming up with police agencies in Delaware and New Jersey to carry out the zero-tolerance campaign against unbuckled drivers.

“‘Click it or Ticket’ isn’t about issuing citations; it’s about saving lives,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “Wearing a seat belt can increase your chances of surviving a crash by 60 percent. A simple click can make a significant difference.”

Last year, Pennsylvania recorded 9,696 crashes involving at least one unbuckled occupant. Those incidents resulted in 259 deaths and 733 suspected serious injuries.

Officials estimate that 90 percent of those killed — approximately 233 people — could have survived had they been wearing seat belts.

Pennsylvania law requires drivers, front-seat passengers, and any occupant under the age of 18 must buckle up.

PennDOT officials said kids under 2 years old must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they exceed manufacturer weight or height limits, those under 4 years old must be secured in an approved child safety seat, and those ages 4 to 8 must use a booster seat.

Troopers certified as child passenger safety technicians are hosting free seat-fitting events across the state to be sure seats are installed correctly and are free from recalls.

“Troopers who are certified as child passenger safety technicians can ensure that your car seat is installed correctly, fits your child properly, and meets safety standards,” said state police Captain Jonathan Sunderlin.

Teresa Rychlak, assistant director of the PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project, said that nearly half of all car seats nationwide are installed incorrectly. She warned that caregivers often make the mistake of moving a child to the next seat level before they are physically ready.

On Thursday, May 21, troopers and local police departments across the state will carry out coordinated nighttime enforcement.

Officials said the nighttime operations will use roving patrols, traffic enforcement zones, and speed details on roads identified as having high rates of unbuckled crashes.

The “Click It or Ticket” program is part of the Pennsylvania Highway Safety Program. It is funded through PennDOT via federal grants from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Residents seeking a certified car seat technician can call 1-800-CAR-BELT or visit pakidstravelsafe.org.