Preliminary results indicate law enforcement officers from local police departments, sheriff offices and Michigan State Police (MSP) posts across the state conducted more than 20,100 traffic stops resulting in 7,952 seat belt and child restraint citations during the “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign May 23 through June 5.

“Crash survivability is dramatically increased when you buckle up, it’s as simple as that,” said Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP).  “During another summer of fun in Michigan, we are reminding everyone to take safety along for the ride by using their seat belt and a designated driver.  This statewide awareness and enforcement effort is a necessary part of our ongoing efforts to reduce crash-related injuries and save lives.”

The MSP Criminal Justice Information Center provided updated provisional information showing there were seven traffic deaths during the 2016 Memorial Day holiday period, potentially the lowest number of traffic fatalities in more than 40 years.  Eight people died in traffic crashes during the 2015 Memorial Day holiday and there were 20 traffic fatalities during the holiday in 2014.

In addition to issuing seat belt violations, more than 1,600 tickets were written for suspended licenses and uninsured motorists.

During one “Click It or Ticket” traffic stop in Bay County, a person was arrested for possession of crack cocaine, possession of counterfeit money, driving with a suspended license and providing false information to police.  Another driver stopped in Clinton County was arrested for an improper plate, driving with a suspended license and having no insurance on the vehicle.

Michigan law requires drivers, front seat passengers and passengers 15 and younger in any seating position to be buckled up.  Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old of 4 feet 9 inches tall, and children under 4 years old must be in the back seat.

The OHSP coordinated the “Click It or Ticket” effort that was supported with federal funds.

Grant-funded seat belt enforcement is part of Michigan’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan signed by Gov. Rick Snyder in 2013.