Seat Belt Checkpoints Planned for Holiday Weekend

Statistics show more than three-quarters of victims of fatal motor vehicle accidents were not wearing seat belts.

Arkansas State Police troopers are trying to change that this Memorial Day weekend, by taking part in the nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign.

Despite the fact that it's been proven time and time again that seat belts save lives, the numbers show Arkansans are not wearing them like our neighbors in other states.

The blue lights will likely be more visible this holiday weekend, and if you're not wearing your seatbelt, it could cost you.

(Lt. Jim Howington, Ark. State Police) "It's the Click it or Ticket seatbelt mobilization, so we'll be out enforcing the seatbelt law, along with all other criminal and traffic laws in this state."

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 69% of Arkansans regularly buckle-up. That's compared to the national average of 81%.

Lt. Jim Howington says he hopes more than the fear of getting a ticket will motivate Arkansans to wear their seat belt--he hopes that the reality of accident statistics will be motivation enough.

(Howington) “You don't have time once you've been hit to put your seatbelt on. It's always better to put it on once you get in the vehicle and get moving."

Lt. Howington says in addition to seat belt checkpoints, there will also be sobriety checkpoints throughout the state this weekend.