Canton Township Police Chief Chad Baugh wants to save lives this holiday season.
That effort includes a caution to motorists, warning them they better buckle up in Canton where enforcement of the Michigan seat belt law is being strictly enforced.
According to Baugh, the Canton department has again joined forces with law enforcement agencies across Michigan in enforcing the national Click It or Ticket campaign.
Safety belt enforcement zones are conducted on Canton roadways where crash problems are prevalent or belt use is low. Portable “safety belt enforcement zone” signs alert motorists they are entering an enforcement area. One officer will serve as a spotter, radioing unbelted motorist information to other officers who will pull over the offending motorists, Baugh explained.
“We continue to participate in the state and national campaign to encourage the motoring public to wear seat belts,” Baugh said.
“In 2019, 9,466 unbuckled motorists died in crashes in the United States. We have learned from the Michigan Office of Safety Planning buckling our belts can reduce the risk of injury or death by 45 percent. Please wear your safety belts; it only takes a few seconds and helps keep you and your family safe,” Baugh added.
Michigan law requires all drivers and front seat passengers to be buckled up. It also requires passengers age 8-15 to be buckled in any seating position.
Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4-feet, 9-inches tall, whichever comes first. In addition, children younger than age 4 must ride in the back seat if the vehicle has a back seat, unless all rear seating positions are filled with children younger than age 4.
Federal traffic safety funds support the Click It or Ticket enforcement efforts by local police agencies.
