Local authorities on heightened seat belt patrol

Local law enforcement agencies are participating in anational seatbelt enforcement program starting today.

“Click It or Ticket,” which runs through June 2, targets people who donot wear seatbelts or use them incorrectly. Local agencies participating inthe effort include the Indio office of the California Highway Patrol and the LaQuinta Police Department.

“As we kick off the busy summer driving season, it’s important thateveryone buckles up every time they go out, both day and night — no excuses,”said La Quinta police Cpl. Don Olson. “Our officers are prepared to ticketanyone who is not wearing their seat belt.”

CHP Officer Joe Zagorski said the CHP’s Indio office — which covers theCoachella Valley — issued more than 700 citations for seat belt violationsin 2011.

He said the state is ranked fourth in the nation in seat belt usage, butthe CHP “still sees fatalities in collisions as a result of occupants notwearing their seat belts.”

State law requires all vehicle occupants to be properly restrained by asafety belt, children under 8 years old or less than 4 feet, 9 inches tall mustbe properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat.

Click It or Ticket is a campaign through the National Highway TrafficSafety Administration. For information, go to nhtsa.gov.