On May 21, 2012, the Kerrville Police Department will join hundreds of other law enforcement agencies across the country in renewing a pledge to save lives by intensifying efforts to enforce the state's seat belt and child car seat laws laws. The “Click It or Ticket” initiative runs from May 21 – June 3, 2012.
Here’s the law in Texas: everyone in the vehicle must be secured by a seat belt. It doesn’t matter if you’re the driver or a passenger in the front or back seat, if you’re not buckled up, you can get a ticket. Officers will also ticket drivers whose young passengers are not properly buckled up. Children younger than 8 years old must be in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they are taller than 4 feet, 9 inches tall. Fines are up to $250, plus court costs.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, regardless of the vehicle, seat belts save lives — In 2010, NHTSA statistics show that 22,187 occupants of passenger cars, trucks, vans and SUVs were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide— and 51 percent were NOT wearing seat belts at the time of the fatal crashes.
NHTSA statistics also show that teens and young adults are at higher risk — among young adult passenger vehicle occupants, ages 18 to 34, who were killed in crashes, 62 percent were not buckled up—the highest percentage of any age group. The number jumps to 66 percent when only men in this age group are included.

“Our goal is to save more lives, so buckle up each and every time you go out. Don’t risk your life or the life of your passengers.” said Traffic Sergeant Martin Morris.