Published: May 14, 2009 03:38 pm      

University police joing in 'Click it or ticket' campaign

The University Police Department at Texas A&M University-Commerce is joining forces with the Texas Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies across Texas to encourage drivers to buckle up and be safe on the highway this Memorial Day weekend and during summer driving season.

The Click It or Ticket campaign will have officers specifically looking for seat belt violations.

"The Click It or Ticket campaign has been a very successful campaign and we hope that it saves lives," said Jason Bone of the University Police Department. "Wear a seatbelt or get a ticket. It's that simple."

University Police officers will be doing "targeted enforcement" and they will be looking for seat belt violations during the holiday weekend.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, according to Bone. "Fewer than 50 percent of children under 18 buckle up or buckle up properly," he said.

In 2008, a study by the Texas Transportation Institute revealed that 91.2 percent of Texans were buckling up. This year, TXDOT hopes to increase safety belt compliance to 93.25 percent.