Hays police target unbuckled drivers with fines to prevent fatal crash ejections
The nationwide 'Click It or Ticket' enforcement blitz runs through June 1
HAYS, Kan. — Drivers traveling through Hays this Memorial Day season face a heightened risk of traffic fines if they fail to wear a seat belt, as local police deploy extra patrols to crack down on unrestrained motorists and prevent deadly crash ejections. The high-visibility enforcement blitz is part of the nationwide "Click It or Ticket" campaign running from May 17 to June 1, which aims to curb fatalities during the surge of early summer road trips. Sgt. Gage of the Hays Police Department stressed that buckling up keeps occupants secure inside a vehicle, while choosing to ride unrestrained often results in fatal ejections during a collision.
The life-or-death consequences of the campaign are reflected in recent state data, with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reporting that 48% of vehicle occupants killed in 2023 motor vehicle crashes were not wearing a seat belt. To ensure proper protection, Hays police remind residents that lap belts must fit snugly across the hips rather than the stomach, and shoulder belts should lie flat across the middle of the chest without ever being tucked under an arm or behind the back. Authorities will also be monitoring younger passengers during the two-week operation, warning that children must be properly secured in age- and size-appropriate car seats until they physically outgrow them and can safely use adult seat belts.
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