MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (May 17, 2024) As more families prepare for summer vacations, the Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) has announced its partnership with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to remind drivers to adhere to seat belt regulations through the Click It or Ticket initiative. This increased enforcement is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) nationwide mobilization, taking place from May 20 through June 2.
“We encourage drivers to wear their seatbelt and wear it correctly,” stated MPD Traffic Lieutenant Greg Walker. “Wearing it incorrectly can do more harm than good. A correctly worn seatbelt fits across your hip and pelvic bone and on top of your collar bone.”
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The primary goal of this campaign is to reduce the risk of serious injury or death by promoting consistent seat belt use among drivers and passengers. The penalties for not wearing a seat belt in Tennessee are $25 for the first offense and $50 for the second offense. For children under nine years old who are not properly restrained, the fine is $160. For children aged nine to 15, the penalty is $50, and for those aged 16 to 17, it is $25.
For more information about seat belt safety, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org/seat-belts.
One key aspect of the Click It or Ticket campaign is nighttime enforcement, as NHTSA data indicates a higher rate of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities during night hours. Additionally, seat belt usage varies between genders. Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN) reports that 43% of males and 35% of females killed in Tennessee crashes last year were not wearing seat belts.
Participating law enforcement agencies will adopt a no-excuses approach to enforcing seat belt laws, issuing citations both day and night to ensure compliance.
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