Buckle Up, Michiganders! Annual Click It Or Ticket Campaign Begins Today

DETROIT (WWJ) - Buckle up for safety — and to avoid a fine.

Michigan's annual Click It or Ticket seatbelt campaign kicked off Monday in all of the state's 83 counties.

State police along with local police and sheriff departments will be encouraging drivers and passengers to buckle up during this stepped-up enforcement period as, they say, when seat belts are used properly the risk of being killed in a crash is reduced by 45 percent.

According to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, while the number of crashes in Michigan in 2015 decreased slightly, there was a 10 percent increase in traffic fatalities, which could indicate crashes are increasing in severity.

Melody Kindraka of the MOHSP says the state has a 93 percent seatbelt usage rate.

"That still means that 7 percent of Michigan motorists are not buckling up," she told WWJ's Beth Fisher. "And, you know, because buckling your seatbelt is a quick and easy thing — it's actually the best thing you can do to stay safe while you're driving."

A total of 963 people died in Michigan crashes in 2015, and almost 200 weren't wearing a seatbelt.

"That's why we do this campaign," Kindraka said. "We want to encourage people to be safe — especially during the busy summer travel season, kicking off on Memorial Day.

In Michigan, the current fee for a seatbelt ticket is $65 for a driver or passenger. The fee jumps to $105 if it's not paid within 14 days.