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Wesley Moree and his 7-month-old daughter, Zya, stood by the side of the road watching as a N.C. Highway Patrol trooper rummaged around the back of their car Tuesday afternoon.
Sgt. T.A. Miller popped his head out of the car with a smile. “When she grows out of this one give me a call,” he said.
Miller checked Moree’s child seat at a checkpoint on U.S. 29 in Spencer Tuesday, as part of the statewide “Click It or Ticket” campaign. The annual campaign aims to step up enforcement of seat belt and child passenger safety laws.
Statewide, 82 to 84 percent of all drivers and passengers use seat belts, but the average for this region is 75.1 percent, according to a release issued by the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Since the program began in 1993, the use of belts statewide increased from 65 percent to the current high of 82 percent. At the same time, fatal and serious injuries have declined 14 percent, and more than $135 million has been saved in health-care related costs, state officials say.
“Click It or Ticket” is a three-week campaign the state and local agencies conduct twice a year. The current campaign will continue in Salisbury until June 4.
According to Joe Parker, director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, these check points often turn up more than just seat belt and car seat violations.
Officers also have stopped motorists for driving while impaired and cited them for fire arm and drug violations. They also discovered stolen vehicles and arrested fugitives.
Parker said most people just haven’t gotten in the habit of wearing their seat belts. Often drivers say either they normally wear their belt (just not this time) or they were just driving a short distance.
Parker added that more than half of accidents occur within five miles of a driver’s home.
If you are pulled, don’t expect to get off with a warning, said Parker. “You either have it on or you don’t,” he said. “It’s a law, and it’s one they are prepared to enforce.”
Drivers found with individuals in violation of N.C. Seat Belt Law in their vehicle face a ticket and $25 fine. Those in violation of N.C. Child Restraint Law pay a $25 fine as well as court costs.
“The penalty is that you could die,” said Parker. “It’s not the $25.”
A driver cited for improper safety measures for a child younger than 4 can get the citation dropped if he acquires a safety seat and presents it at trial.
Although not everyone drives away from these check points with a smile, Moree was happy to stop on his way back to Lexington and have Zya’s seat checked.
“I wanted the baby to be as safe as possible,” he said. “I have peace of mind knowing now that she is safe in the seat.”
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