La Salle County Sheriff’s Office joins ‘Click It or Ticket’ seat belt campaign

The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers to buckle up as part of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which runs May 16 to May 27.

The enforcement effort coincides with the Memorial Day holiday and looks to increase seat belt use through stepped-up patrols, especially at night, according to a news release.

Law enforcement agencies across the state will issue citations to unbuckled drivers and passengers, taking a no-excuses approach.

“Seat belt use should be an automatic habit for everyone,” Sheriff Adam Diss said in a press release. “It’s not just safe; it’s the law.”

Illinois first enacted a seat belt law in 1985, and usage has climbed from 15.9% then to 92.4% in 2024.

However, officials say more progress is needed, especially with unrestrained crash fatalities more common at night and among male drivers.