Buckle up in Pennsylvania while traveling during Memorial Day Weekend

Drivers may be in a rush to get to their holiday destination during the extended Memorial Day weekend, but the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is urging drivers to put safety first by enforcing national seatbelt and safe driving regulations.

PennDOT's mobilization is in effect now through June 2, and here's what it means for Bucks County drivers.

PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police team for 'Click It or Ticket' enforcement

The "Click it or Ticket" campaign is designed to raise seatbelt awareness, especially during Memorial Day weekend, and the Pennsylvania State Police will be on heightened alert for drivers not wearing a seatbelt.

While every passenger inside a vehicle must be wearing a seatbelt, PennDOT further explained the law and enforcement agenda in a press release.

"Pennsylvania law requires drivers, front-seat passengers, and any occupant younger than 18 to buckle up when riding in a vehicle," read a portion of PennDOT's Click it or Ticket press release. "Children under age 4 must be properly secured in an approved child safety seat. Children under age 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they outgrow the maximum weight and height limits designated by the seat manufacturer.

"Booster seats are required for children ages 4 to 8."

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Tickets for not wearing a seatbelt range up to $75, according to the Pennsylvania Code; but the campaign is less about the fees and more about educating and saving drivers and passengers, PennDOT officials said.

"'Click it or Ticket' isn't about citations, it's about saving lives," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Wearing a seat belt increases your chances of surviving a crash by up to 60 percent. Through continued enforcement and education, we hope to see more people buckling up and fewer fatal crashes on Pennsylvania's roads."

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PennDOT provided some harrowing stats that backed up the agency's call for more awareness. PennDOT also has a seatbelt law website that provides more detailed information.

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"In 2023, there were 11,756 crashes in Pennsylvania where at least one occupant was not wearing a seat belt, resulting in 316 fatalities. It is estimated that 92% of unbelted occupants, or 282 people, who were killed in crashes while traveling in passenger vehicles, including cars, small trucks, vans, and SUVs, could have survived if they had been buckled up," read a portion of PennDOT's release. "During the four-day Memorial Day weekend in 2023, PSP troopers investigated 651 crashes that resulted in four fatalities and 142 injuries.

"State Police also cited 1,318 individuals for not wearing seat belts and issued 224 tickets for not securing children in safety seats."

Damon C. Williams covers trending and regional developments for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PennDOT to enhance seatbelt awareness Memorial Day Weekend