WASHINGTON, May 24 (UPI) -- A record number of Americans are buckling up when they drive but U.S. officials say they are directing a new program at the 45 million who still neglect to do.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced a national "Click It or Ticket" enforcement program, encouraging motorists to wear seatbelts and promising citations for those who don't, the Department Of Transportation said in a release Monday.
"We've made great strides to get Americans to buckle up, but we must not rest on our laurels," LaHood said. "Not wearing your seatbelt is a serious, life-threatening practice. If you are one of the 45 million Americans who won't buckle up, our Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization will be looking for you."
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show an average of 38 people not using seat belts are killed each day, federal officials said.
Least likely to buckle up are teens, young adults, males, nighttime riders, motorists traveling on rural roads and people traveling in pickup trucks, the NHTSA said.
