:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-cmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/2BTLL6WJQO7O6SLY5K37MOPHGE.jpg)
NORTH CAROLINA — The "Click It or Ticket" campaign started Monday statewide in North Carolina.
The program has consistently increased driver seat belt usage rates and reduced fatalities across North Carolina.
In June 2013 a seat belt survey showed that 89.6 percent of drivers were buckled up compared to 88 percent the previous year.
Despite the increase in drivers buckling up, passenger usage rates are down across the state.
Law enforcement officers remind drivers and passengers to buckle up, as fines for not doing so can reach up to $161.
"Tremendous progress has been made in driver education and awareness, and most North Carolinians know that wearing your seat belt is not only the law, but can save your life," said Don Nail, director of the Governor's Highway Safety Program.
The "Click It or Ticket" campaign will last through Memorial Day weekend and end on June 1.
WSOC
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/CUIJJ3YA7FDYFJIC27PC364K2A.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/IPKOUZRIPNF57C6Z5U6GJAABSQ.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/V2LHQ3SVK5DWNA7NL7MLKJ5MQ4.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/U3EY7ZFBSVFTXLGH7UFZM2DMVA.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/A52ZKFBQBFADNGMQJPBYU5VCYQ.jpeg)