The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office announced on May 21 that it will participate in the 2026 national “Click It or Ticket” high-visibility seat belt enforcement campaign, which runs through May 31. Law enforcement officers across the state are working together to identify drivers who are not wearing seat belts.
The campaign aims to increase awareness and compliance with seat belt laws in order to reduce injuries and fatalities from vehicle crashes. Buckling up has been shown to save lives, with an estimated 15,000 lives saved by seat belts since 2017.
Recent data shows that in 2024, about 91% of drivers and passengers used seat belts on every ride. However, there is still concern for nighttime safety: reports indicate that 56% of fatalities during nighttime crashes involved individuals who were not buckled in.
Officials say the goal of the enforcement effort is to encourage all motorists to wear their seat belts at all times while driving or riding in a vehicle. The ongoing collaboration between law enforcement agencies is intended to reinforce this message and promote safer roads for everyone.
More information about the Click It or Ticket campaign can be found at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
