From May 24 to June 6, the Texas Highway Patrol and law enforcement officers across the state are participating in the ninth “Click It or Ticket” enforcement mobilization.

“This year’s Click It or Ticket campaign reminds drivers and passengers that no matter how old you are or where in the vehicle you are sitting, you must buckle up,” said Texas Highway Patrol Assistant Director David Baker. “Backseat passengers no longer have an excuse for not wearing a safety belt, and we will be issuing tickets to those who are not complying with the law.”

As of Sept. 1, 2009, state law has required everyone in a vehicle to be secured by a safety belt. (The previous law exempted anyone 17 and older from wearing a safety belt in the back seat.) Also, children younger than 8 years old must be in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they are taller than 4 feet, 9 inches tall.

Since last September, the Texas Highway Patrol has been issuing warnings to drivers who don’t buckle up children younger than 8 in a child safety seat or booster seat. Beginning June 1, officers can ticket parents who do not secure their children in child safety seats or booster seats as required by law. Fines for noncompliance range from $25 to $250, plus court costs.

When you buckle up in the back seat, you are 44 percent more likely to survive a crash than if you do not wear a safety belt. If you’re riding in the back of a passenger van or SUV, you are 73 percent more likely to survive a crash if you’re wearing a safety belt.

For more information on properly installing child safety seat systems, please go to this link http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/carseat.htm.