As summer nears and families hit the road for vacations, the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program is reminding motorists to click it or get a ticket.

Aimed at enforcing seat-belt use to help keep drivers and passengers safe, the national Click It or Ticket campaign is in effect through June 4, concurrent with one of the busiest holiday travel weekends of the year.

“Our law enforcement personnel see firsthand the loss of life when people refuse to buckle up,” said Don Nail, director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “It’s such a simple thing, and it should be an automatic next step after sitting down in a vehicle.”

In 2016, 452 people were killed and 601 other were seriously injured while not using seat belts in motor vehicle crashes in North Carolina. During that same year, 42 percent of passenger vehicle fatalities were unrestrained.

“Keeping motorists safe while they travel across North Carolina is our No. 1 priority,” said Col. Glenn McNeill, commander of the State Highway Patrol. “Using a seat belt while traveling offers significant protection if involved in a collision. The public can assist us in combating fatalities by simply buckling up.”

To complement the enforcement efforts, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program produced public service announcements to stress the importance of wearing a seat belt with the theme “Every seat, every time. It’s the law.”  The advertisements are running through the end of May on radio, internet radio and social media. Gov. Roy Cooper also proclaimed May as Seat Belt Safety Awareness Month.

To help stay safe this Memorial Day holiday, follow these safety tips when you travel:

• Buckle up — every sea. every time.
• Don’t drink and drive. Make sure you have a sober designated driver.
• Obey the posted speed limit.
• Keep a safe following distance.
• Turn on your headlights in the rain.
• Put away all distractions including cellphones.