Click It or Ticket to Boost Seat Belt Use – Day and Night

Red Lake Nation, Minnesota – Motorists who refuse to wear their seat belts – beware. The 2012 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization kicks off May 21 to help save lives by cracking down on those who don’t buckle up.

Minnesota State, Bureau of Indian Affairs Indian Highway Safety Program, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Red Lake Police are joining with other state and local law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates across the country to help save more lives by strongly enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010 nationally, 61 percent of the 10,647 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes overnight (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crash, compared to 42 percent during the daytime hours.

“Too many drivers and passengers on the road at night are not wearing their seat belts, and it all too often ends in tragedy,” said NHTSA. “Our goal is to save more lives, so Red Lake Police Department will be out enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.”

Seat belt use saves thousands of lives across America each year and Red Lake Police Department is helping spread the word. NHTSA statistics show that in 2010 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 12,546 lives nationwide.

Yet, too many motorists may need a tough reminder. In 2010, 22,187 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle crashes, according to NHTSA, and 51 percent of them were NOT wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes.

Younger motorists and men are particularly at risk. NHTSA data shows that among teen and young adult passenger vehicle occupants in 2010, ages 18-34, which were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, 62 percent were not buckled up at the time of the crash – the highest percentage of any age group. The number jumps to 66 percent when just men in this age group are included.

While this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 21 through June 3, motorists should know that officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round.

“Those who choose not to wear a seat belt will feel the heat from our officers who will be out cracking down on Click It or Ticket violators. Motorists should buckle up every time they go out, both day and night,” said Ron Leyba, Traffic Safety Officer. “Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone not buckled up…no warnings and no excuses. Click It or Ticket.”

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

About Officer Ron Leyba, Red Lake Traffic Safety Officer

Officer Leyba was hired by the Red Lake Tribe on December 25, 2012 to enforce traffic code and reduce fatalities among the Red Lake Nation. In the past, there has not been that much enforcement in traffic and Red Lake Police would like to have everyone drive safe and follow the rules.

Leyba is a Bemidji State University graduate in Criminal Justice Law and aMinnesota State post eligible in law enforcement. He also graduated from Alexandria Technical College in law enforcement skills. Ron has also been a volunteer fireman for almost 8 years and is also state fire fighter certified, as well as a National EMS first responder.

"My goal is to reduce the number of fatalities (Red Lake had 4 last year) and vehicle accidents by enforcing the Red Lake Tribal Codes," Ron said, "both criminal and traffic through education, demonstrations, banners, safety camps, working with State and Tribal campaigns and mobilizations and the BIA.

Ron will also also work patrol when needed, but his primary job function is traffic safety.

He will be involved with the Safety Camp on May 3rd, 2012 and will be demonstrating the roll-over simulator for the 3rd grade elementary school along with Samantha Dow who also works with the Red Lake Police Department in dispatch.

"I understand that there are a few people that are upset with getting citations, but driving habits have to change, along with the culture of their driving habits," Ron added.