Carlsbad CA— In conjunction with the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign, the City of Carlsbad Police Department is conducting a special seat belt enforcement operation through November 29. The goal is to educate and remind all those that travel in vehicles of the importance of wearing a seat belt.
“Buckling up only takes a few seconds and it is the best lifesaving defense in the event of a crash,” noted Traffic Lieutenant Christie Calderwood. “Tragically, we have seen first-hand, and all too often, the consequences of not wearing a seat belt.”
The campaign also stresses the importance of child safety while traveling in a vehicle. Under California law, children under two years of age, who weigh under 40 pounds or are under 40 inches tall, must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Children under the age of eight or under 4’ 9” tall, must be secured in a car or booster seat.
Also in California, the fine for a seat belt violation is $162. The fine for not securing a child in a child safety seat is $490.
Funding for this seat belt enforcement operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.