Law enforcement agencies throughout the state are preparing for the Memorial Day holiday through increased seat belt enforcement to assure traveling motorists arrive at their destinations safely.  As part of national Click It or Ticket efforts, the increased enforcement period will run from Monday, May 23rd through Sunday, June 5th, 2011.

As a precursor to the upcoming enforcement period, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) recently launched a strikingly powerful public service announcement on the importance of seat belt use.  The ad features a North Dakota resident whose fiancée was killed in a crash earlier this year on I-94, and pointedly illustrates the importance of seat belt safety to prevent injury and death.

“Statistically, seat belt use is relatively high nationwide – in the mid 80% for usage,” stated Jeanette Persons, Lisbon Chief of Police.  “Our goal during the Click It or Ticket efforts is to increase our enforcement to ensure each and every traffic law is being followed appropriately, by everyone.  We want to do our part in keeping that seat belt statistic as high as we are able and our community as safe as possible.”

In addition to the increased enforcement and public service announcement, a Facebook page has been launched (http://www.facebook.com/safedrivers), where during the Click It or Ticket campaign, the public is encouraged to post real-life scenarios of how seat belt use saved lives or how lives were lost as a result of non-use.  The site will be available year round and will publicize safe driving tips, educational videos on safe driving, as well as additional information.

For more information please visit http://www.ndctsp.org. To view the Public Service Announcement, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVM-suVUiFM.

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