The Los Angeles Police Department Wednesday announced the launch of its Click It or Ticket campaign, aimed at reducing fatal traffic collisions involving drivers and passengers who fail to wear seat belts.
Police said the campaign will run from May 18-31, during which officer patrols will be increased to target drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts, including children who are not properly secured in age-appropriate child safety seats.
LAPD Traffic Coordination Division Capt. Yvonne Ortiz said the department’s priority is protecting people in the community, noting that wearing a seat belt or properly securing children in car or booster seats significantly improves their chances of survival in a crash.
“We want every trip — short or long — to end safely, so please buckle up, every time,” she said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2023, 10,484 people were killed in crashes while not wearing a seat belt.
A total of 780 unrestrained individuals were killed in California the same year, including 24 children, with the NHTSA noting that fatalities within the state increased by 4.3% from 2022 to 2023.
“California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall,” police said.
Children under age 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat and are prohibited from riding in the front seat unless the vehicle lacks a rear seat.
Police added that children 8 years or older who are at least 4-feet-9 inches tall may use a booster seat but must be properly secured with a seat belt.
The LAPD Traffic Division offers a car seat safety program that administers free inspections and assists with installing car seats. Anyone wanting additional information about the program was urged to contact a local traffic division.