The Oklahoma “Click it or Ticket” campaign began today and will run through June 1st. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, along with 256 Oklahoma law enforcement agencies, will participate in the event. Law enforcement officers will target area motorists who are in violation of Oklahoma’s mandatory seat belt use act.
A 2007 seat belt observation study performed for the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office gives the following statistics regarding Oklahoma safety belt users
The estimated seat belt use for drivers and front seat passengers in Oklahoma for the summer 2007 was 83.1% statewide and 90.8% for the Tulsa region. The study targeted passenger cars, vans, SUVs and pickups.
The following is a weighted percent table for all vehicles:
Statewide:
Cars 85.9%
Vans 87.8%
SUVs 86.5%
Pickups 75.3%
Tulsa Area:
Cars 93.5%
Vans 91.2%
SUVs 94.0%
Pickups 83.7%
The Oklahoma Mandatory Seat Belt Use Act states in part, “Every operator and front seat passenger of a passenger car operated in this state shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt system, required to be installed in the motor vehicle when manufactured.”
The Oklahoma law regarding passenger and child restraint systems states, in part, “Every driver, when transporting a child under six (6) years of age in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall provide for the protection of said child by properly using a child passenger restraint system.”
Children at least six (6) years of age but younger than thirteen (13) years of age shall be protected by use of a child passenger restraint system or a seat belt.
The fine for violating the mandatory seat belt law is $20.00 and any person convicted of violating the child restraint law shall be punished by a fine of $50.00 plus court costs.