By Gina Yarbrough
Escondido, California–The Escondido Police Department is cracking down on seat belt violations this month as part of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which runs from May 12 through June 1.
During the campaign, officers will be patrolling city streets and highways with a sharp eye for drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts. The enforcement includes checks for proper use of child safety seats, ensuring that children are buckled in correctly, and using the appropriate restraint for their age, weight, and height.
“Wearing a seat belt should be automatic for all drivers and passengers every trip,” said Interim Chief of Police Ryan Banks. “Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to remember always to buckle up.”
The campaign comes as national and state data highlight the life-saving importance of seat belt use. In 2022, approximately 11,302 people killed in vehicle crashes across the U.S. were not wearing seat belts. In California alone, 842 unbelted occupants died in crashes that same year — an 8.4% decrease from 2021.
California law mandates that all children under age 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh 40 pounds or more or are at least 40 inches tall. Children under 8 must continue to ride in a car seat or booster seat. Additionally, they may not ride in the front seat unless the vehicle lacks a rear, forward-facing seat.
Children aged 8 and older, or those who are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, may use a booster seat or, at minimum, must wear a properly fitted seat belt. Authorities urge parents and caregivers to keep children in rear- or forward-facing seats as long as possible and to use the “Five-Step Test” to determine if a child can safely use a seat belt alone.
This safety initiative is funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
