The Gilroy Police Department, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol will be cracking down on motorists who don’t wear seat belts beginning May 19.
In a statewide effort to encourage the use of seat belts, authorities will be stepping up enforcement and issuing tickets to motorists who don’t buckle up, according to GPD Sgt. Pedro Espinoza.
“Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer vacation season, and we want to ensure that everyone arrives at their destination safe and sound,” GPD Sgt. Kurt Ashley said. “If you are not wearing your seat belt, you will be ticketed.”
In California, driving with an unbuckled occupant 16 years of age or older can result in a minimum fine of $161 for a first time offender. But if a child under 16 isn’t buckled up, the penalty increases to a minimum of $490 per child and a violation point will be added to the driver’s record. If the parent is not in the car, the driver gets the ticket, according to state law.
Motorists who don’t buckle up stand a 50 percent chance of suffering fatal injuries during a crash, data provided by the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows.
“Wearing a seat belt is one of the easiest and best things you can do to protect yourself in the event of a car crash,” said Rhonda Craft, director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “Taking a few moments to properly secure yourself and all your passengers before going on your way could mean the difference between life and death.”
For more traffic safety information, visit the websites for the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign.
