'Click it or Ticket' Campaign Encourages Belt Use to Avoid Tickets
20 October 1999
'Click it or Ticket' Campaign Encourages Belt Use to Avoid Tickets LANSING, Mich., Oct. 19 -- A new campaign designed to
encourage Michigan drivers and passengers to use their safety belt and
properly restrain children under the age of four is under way, part of an
effort to remind motorists of the new, stronger Michigan safety belt law that
takes effect next year.
"A safety belt is the first and best line of defense against serious
injury or even death in traffic crashes," said Dr. David Johnson, Chief
Medical Executive for the Michigan Department of Community Health, during a
special event to launch the state's public information campaign. "The toll
caused by injuries that could have been avoided if someone had used a safety
belt amounts to millions of dollars and millions of tears. That's why the
new, stronger law will allow law enforcement officers to issue tickets to
those who are not wearing belts."
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning is leading a safety
campaign to remind drivers of the new law in the months prior to its taking
effect in late March, 2000. Betty J. Mercer, director of the office, noted
that the goal of the extensive efforts, which includes partnerships with
service stations and auto dealers around the state, is to help motorists avoid
tickets by creating the safety belt habit now.
"Our goal is saving lives, not writing citations," said Mercer. "We will
be doing all we can to reach out to everyone who drives or rides in a vehicle
to remind them that the new law is coming, and that it is easy to avoid
getting a ticket by creating the habit now."
The new law, Public Act 29 of 1999, will go into effect 90 days after the
Michigan Legislature adjourns at the end of this year -- probably in late
March. It requires drivers and front seat passengers to be buckled up, or
face a citation that could lead to a fine of $25 plus court costs. The new
law also requires all children under the age of four to be placed in child
restraint seats when riding in a vehicle in the front and back seat.
The news conference was held at Delta Shell service station in Lansing,
signifying the partnership that has been developed with traffic safety
advocates, service station associations and the Michigan Auto Dealers
Association to help provide drivers with information about the new law.
Many of these businesses -- frequented by motorists -- have agreed to
display information carrying the new slogan aimed at reminding everyone of the
new law "Click it or Ticket -- A new law you can live with."
"These business partners will be the key to informing the public," said
Johnson. "Drivers need reminders, and where better to offer those reminders
than at service stations and auto dealers?"
Other details of the campaign will be unveiled in the months ahead. For
more information about the campaign, please call Anne Readett at the Office of
Highway Safety Planning, 517-333-5317, or David Waymire of Marketing Resource
Group, 517-372-4400.
