Chief's "Click it or Ticket" Campaign - News Release

NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
• 7500 Maple Avenue • Takoma Park, Md 20912

For more information contact:
Public Information Officer (PIO)
Catherine Plevy, 301/891.7142 or 240/338.2901

May 7, 2012 (2:34 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The statewide Chiefs’ Challenge, which emphasizes safety restraint enforcement, began on May 1 and will run through the month of May 2012. The City of Takoma Park Police Department officers will focus on enforcement of the state’s seat belt laws as part of the nationwide "Click It or Ticket" campaign. Officers will stand at various places throughout the City during the campaign in order to issue tickets to any person not wearing a seatbelt or who does not have their child properly restrained.

Citizens are reminded that the driver, front seat passenger, and all other occupants under the age of 16 must wear a seat belt or be restrained by a child safety seat. The penalty for this violation is $25.00. A child under the age of 8, less than 4’9" tall, and weighing less than 65 pounds should be secured in an approved child safety seat if the vehicle is registered in Maryland. The penalty for this violation is $50.00.

Takoma Park Police Chief, Ronald A. Ricucci, is hoping for less tickets this year because that means citizens are taking their safety, and that of their children, very seriously. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), "Click it or Ticket" is one of the most successful seat belt enforcement campaigns ever, helping to increase the national seatbelt usage rate.