Click it or ticket kicks off to promote driver safety

California roads will soon be filled with Memorial Day travelers and law enforcement will be out making sure everyone stays safe.

The click it or ticket campaign kicks off Monday in Watsonville and across the Central Coast.

The campaign is held nationwide and thanks to a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, Watsonville will be able to have extra patrols.

But Watsonville PD says the extra efforts aren’t about issuing fines.

“It only takes a couple of seconds and just by wearing it, you’re increasing your chances of survival in a major collision by 50 percent,” said Sergeant Donny Thul with the Watsonville Police Department.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 48 percent of the victims of deadly crashes aren’t buckled up and that number goes up to 56 percent overnight.

“Even if it’s a slow speed crash, somebody’s not wearing their seatbelt and they’re going to hit their head on the steering wheel, the windshield, the dash whatever it is, all of those injuries can be eliminated just by wearing a seatbelt,” Thul said.

But it’s not just for this campaign, Watsonville Police say safe driving should always be a priority.

“Wear the seatbelts and please, put the phones down and drive, pay attention to the roadway,” Thul said.

It’s not just your life it could cost you, $162 is the minimum fine. If you’re a parent and your child isn’t buckled up, that fine starts at close to $465.