Osage County Sheriff's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Osage County Sheriff’s Office to participate in Click It or Ticket Mobilization

OSAGE COUNTY, OK – May 14, 2024 – Sheriff Eddie Virden announces that the Osage County Sheriff’s Office will be participating the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office Click It Ticket mobilization from May 20th to June 2nd. This campaign, supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHT), aims to increase seat belt usage and save lives on the road.

According to recent statistics, seat belt usage in Osage County is below the state average, with only 79% of drivers and passengers observed wearing their seat belts. This is concerning, as seat belts are the single most effective safety device in vehicles and wearing them can drastically reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash. The national seat belt use rate in 2023 was 91.9%, which is good — but it can be better. The other 8.1% still need to be reminded that seat belts save lives. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.

One of the focuses of the Click It or Ticket campaign is nighttime enforcement. NHTSA data shows a higher number of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities happen at night. Also, seat belt use differs among females and males. Of the males killed in crashes in 2021, more than half (54%) were unrestrained. For females killed in crashes, 42% were not buckled up.

Sheriff Eddie Virden emphasizes the importance of wearing a seat belt every time you get into a vehicle. Not only is it the law in Oklahoma, but it can also save lives. The Click It or Ticket mobilization will involve increased enforcement efforts to ensure that all motorists in Osage County are buckling up for their safety and the safety of others.

“We want to remind all citizens of Osage County of the importance of wearing a seat belt every time they get behind the wheel,” said Sheriff Eddie Virden. “By participating in this campaign, we can work together to make our roads safer for everyone.”

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office urges all citizens to always wear their seat belts and encourage others to do the same. Together, we can make a difference in promoting road safety.

For more information about the Click It or Ticket mobilization and the NHTSA campaign, please visit www.ohso.ok.gov and www.nhtsa.gov.

Contact:
Gary Upton
Undersheriff
Osage County Sheriff’s Office
Phone: 918-287-3131
Email: info@ocso.net