In an effort to encourage safe driving during the holiday weekend, the Missouri Highway Patrol will be enforcing safety belt regulations with the Click It or Ticket campaign through June 5.
Last year, 76 percent of Missouri drivers were wearing seatbelts, while the national average was 80 percent, said Tim Hull, Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman.
According to Missouri Law RSMo307.178, ticketing for not wearing a safety belt is a secondary law. Missouri Highway Safety Program Administrator Scott Turner said drivers have to be pulled over for a separate violation and can then be ticketed for not wearing their safety belt or not having their child properly restrained in the vehicle.
This is the third year that Missouri has participated in the Click It or Ticket awareness campaign.