Full Notification

Beginning May 19 thru June 1, the Manhattan Beach Police Department will be joining with over 200 other local law enforcement agencies and the California Highway Patrol in a two week “zero tolerance” enforcement and education campaign to curb those operating a motor vehicle without utilizing proper occupant restraints. 

California’s Click It or Ticket Seat Belt Enforcement Campaign Facts and Figures:

• California’s 2012 seat belt use rate is 95.5 percent – slightly lower than the all time high of 96.6 percent in 2011, an all time high and well above the national average of 86 percent.

• Since the Click It or Ticket campaign began in California in 2005, it is estimated that more than 1.5 million more motorists in the state have begun buckling up regularly.

• The cost for a seat belt violation in California for unbuckled vehicle occupants over age 16 is a minimum of $161, higher in some counties. (California Department of Motor Vehicles).

• When children under age six are not properly secured in a vehicle, the parent or driver can receive ‘one point’ on their driving record, in addition to a ticket of $490 on a first offense. If the

parent is not in the car, the driver gets the ticket (DMV).

• Seat belt use saves thousands of lives across America each year. In 2011 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide.

• In fatal crashes during 2011, 77 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who were thrown from their vehicles were killed. However, only 1 percent of crash victims who were buckled up were totally ejected from their vehicles, compared to 31 percent of those who were unbelted.

• Motorists are 75 percent less likely to be killed in a rollover crash if they are buckled up.

• In 2011, of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide, 52 percent were NOT wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes.

• From 2007-2011, 53 percent of the 121,507 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were unrestrained.

• Motorists should buckle up every time they go out, both day and night. Law enforcement agencies across the country are prepared to ticket anyone not buckled up…no warnings and no excuses. Click It or Ticket.

Sources: California data provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). National data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).