Law enforcement officers are ready to hand out fines to those not wearing their seatbelts during its “Click It or Ticket” during the Thanksgiving travel period.
Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Mark Lambert says the campaign began over the weekend and wraps up Sunday.
“Officers will be out on the road looking for people who are not wearing their seatbelts and if you’re not wearing your seatbelt that could be a $50 fine,” said Lambert.
Last year during the holiday period, which begins the Saturday before Thanksgiving and ends on Sunday after the holiday, 18 people lost their lives on Louisiana roadways. Lambert says it was the second deadliest holiday period of 2021.
“More than half of all drivers and passengers who were killed in a crash last year were either not wearing a seatbelt or not properly wearing it,” said Lambert.
Louisiana law says everyone in the vehicle, including the back seat, must be properly restrained.
With it being colder than usual this Thanksgiving, Lambert says to be sure to buckle up children in their car seats without a thick coat on.
“They work a lot better if the child is not wearing a big puffy coat, we want to make sure that everyone is safe. The best thing you can do when you driving to keep yourself safe is to wear your seatbelt,” said Lambert.
The first fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $50 and a subsequent fine is $75.