The Oswego Police Department is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, and over 200 law enforcement agencies across the state for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Click It or Ticket" campaign through Memorial Day.

This initiative aims to curb seat belt law violations and impaired driving as the Memorial Day weekend approaches.

" Before you head out this Memorial Day weekend, make sure everyone in your vehicle, front seat or back, is properly buckled up,” said Oswego Police Spokesperson Cathy Nevara. “Seat belts are your best protection in a crash, and in Illinois, wearing one isn’t just smart, it’s the law.” 

Illinois was the third state to mandate seat belt usage 40 years ago, requiring drivers and front-seat passengers aged 8 and older to wear seat belts. Children younger than 8 must be secured in appropriate car seats. According to IDOT, the state's seat belt usage rate was 92.4% in 2024, a significant increase from 15.2% in 1985. Since 1985, seat belts have saved an estimated 20,823 lives in Illinois.

The "Click It or Ticket" campaign precedes the "100 Deadliest Days of Summer," a period historically marked by an increase in fatalities between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Last year, the Memorial Day weekend saw 18 crashes resulting in 19 deaths in Illinois.

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is funded with federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. For more information on safe driving practices, visit ItsNotaGameIllinois.com.

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