Cops get serious about buckling up

The Simi Valley Police Department will be aggressively enforcing the state's seat belt laws as part of California's 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization, taking place through June 1.

The campaign relies on enforcement and public education as a means to help California achieve the highest seat belt use rate in the nation.

The state currently has the nation's fourth highest seat belt use rate at 94.6 percent.

"We want to make sure that all drivers and passengers buckle up on every ride, day and night," said Police Chief Mike Lewis. "Our officers will be on the lookout for those who are not buckled up and for teens and children not riding properly restrained. We will not accept excuses or give warnings. It's Click It or Ticket."

According to state law, every passenger in the car, including the driver, is required to wear a seat belt at all times. If stopped and found to be in violation, law enforcement will issue citations without warning.

Tickets for first seat belt violations range from $80 to $91 for adults and $330 to $401 for children under age 16, depending on the county.

Additionally, children age 12 and under are required to ride properly restrained in the back seat.

While the buckle up rate for adults has continued to climb in recent years, California's teen seat belt use rate lags behind the general population.

In 2007, California's teen seat belt use rate was 88.9 percent, well below the state rate of 94.6 percent for the same year.

More than 280 law enforcement agencies statewide will be participating in this year's Click It or Ticket mobilization.