Memorial Day weekend brings on the "Click It or Ticket" campaign from TxDOT to remind people to buckle up or get a ticket.

According to NewsWest 9, the campaign will run from today (May 24, 2021) till June 6, 2021.

"Safety is the number one priority at TxDOT and we work hard everyday to build and maintain the best and safest highway system in the nation. We also work and conduct campaigns like click it or ticket in order to urge motorists to take personal responsibility for the safety and to be smart and careful drivers and passengers," said James Bass, TxDOT Executive Director.

TxDOT reports that there has been a 16% increase in deaths from people not wearing their seatbelt resulting in 1,073 fatalities.

"The number one reason to buckle up and wear your seatbelt is because it can save your life. By keeping you from being ejected from your vehicle or being banged around inside your vehicle if you're involved in a traffic crash. Second, buckling up can prevent you from getting an expensive ticket. An important thing to remember is that click it or ticket campaign is not about handing out tickets it's really about saving lives and preventing serious injuries," said Bass.

The fines for not being buckled up are up to $200 and if a child under age 8 is not in a safety or booster seat, the driver can face a fine up to $250.

Night time is the most common time people are not wearing their seatbelts it seems.

"An alarming number of motorists aren’t using their seatbelts at night even though it’s the most dangerous time to be on the road, of all the crashes where people have died and weren’t wearing a seatbelt. 59% of those occurred at night," said Bass.

So if you are a non-seatbelt wearer, be aware that you could get fined.

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