Click It Or Ticket Campaign Aims To Raise Seatbelt Awareness
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The next time you're in your car, do safety check to make sure you are wearing your safety belt and that all of your documents are up to date.
This Click It or Ticket Checkpoint is on West Carson Street in the city.
Pittsburgh Police is one of 600 agencies statewide involved in the campaign that started Monday morning and runs into June.
"Eighty-three percent of people in Pennsylvania historically wear their seat belts, but it's that 17 percent that we just seem to have a hard time getting through to," Penndot Safety Press Officer Jay Ofsanik said.
Pittsburgh Police Commander Scott Schubert didn't listen until he was in a car crash in 1993 on his way to a call.
"I hit into a building and was knocked into the wheel-well off the passenger side and ended up hitting another building and a telephone pole, and you can't. I'm blessed to be alive, but you know, you have to wear it," Commander Schubert said.
Officers stop every car headed toward town checking driver's license, registration and insurance. It may be a bit of an inconvenience, but at least one driver didn't mind.
"I can understand why they stop people to make sure their inspections are up to date," Bill Gestrich said. "I think it's really important that they are looking out for the safety of the public here."
Pittsburgh Police Department is involved in this particular Click It or Ticket checkpoint. They say if they find one thing wrong, often there are other violations and that's why they conduct these stops.
The fine for not wearing your belt if you are stopped for another violation is $25 dollars, but PennDOT and local police want you to know that wearing it can save your life.
RELATED LINKS
More Local News
More Reports From Rick Dayton
Pittsburgh Police
