ATLANTA) – With the Memorial Day holiday travel period rapidly approaching, a nationwide effort is set to begin Monday to educate motorists on the importance of using safety belts while they travel.  The Georgia Department of Public Safety will be participating in several national traffic safety campaigns beginning Monday, May 18, in an effort to save lives and reduce serious injuries from motor vehicle crashes during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday period.  

Colonel Bill Hitchens said Georgia State Troopers along with officers from the Motor Carrier Compliance Division and Capitol Police will be partnering with their law enforcement counterparts across the country for special enforcement efforts to encourage seat belt and child safety seat use during holiday travels.

“Troopers and officers will be strictly enforcing Georgia’s primary seat belt law and also making sure children are properly restrained,” Colonel Hitchens said. “Monday begins the two-week long Operation Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement program.”    Operation Click It or Ticket continues through Sunday, May 31. 

 

Monday is also the kick-off of All-American Buckle-Up Week across the nation.  From May 18 through Memorial Day, civic and community groups join state law enforcement officers to educate the public on the importance of wearing seat belts at all times while traveling in motor vehicles.  Georgia State Troopers also remind adults who transport children to take the time to make sure children are properly restrained.

 

The troopers and officers will also be participating in Operation C.A.R.E., or Combined Accident Reduction Effort.  Operation C.A.R.E. encourages safe driving through high visibility enforcement of traffic laws and public education efforts.  The program is in its 32nd year and is sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.  Operation C.A.R.E. also sponsors All-American Buckle-Up Week.

 

“This time of year is especially busy and the dangers increase on the highways,”   Colonel Hitchens said.  “All of these programs are designed to educate the motoring public of the dangers they face each day on our nation’s highways.  Obeying the posted speed limit, not drinking and driving, and making sure everyone is wearing a seat belt when you travel are the best steps drivers can take to prevent traffic deaths and serious injuries.”