Sheriff's Office To Begin "Click It Or Ticket" Campaign

The Edmonson County Sheriff's Office will be stepping up patrol during the month of May, making sure you see more blue lights, and hopefully, fewer accidents.  May 1st marks the beginning of Kentucky's "Click it or Ticket" campaign.  

The main focus, May 18-June 1, is the nationwide campaign of the seatbelt enforcement initiative, but the Commonwealth is focusing on the entire month.  "Last year, there was a 5% increase in fatality accidents, and we want to make sure those numbers decrease," Sheriff Shane Doyle said.  "A seatbelt is a simple, easy way to save lives." 

Nearly 2 out of 3 fatality accidents involve unbuckled occupants.  The Sheriff's Office won't only be focusing on seatbelt violations alone.  DUI enforcement is also a number one priority, as well as speeding, reckless driving, and other traffic-related infractions.  "We hope to increase awareness that using a seatbelt, whether you agree with it or not, has been proven to save lives, and that's the name of the game," Doyle said.  

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"A seatbelt is a simple, easy way to save lives..." --Sheriff Shane Doyle

Law Enforcement will be using increased patrols, traffic safety checkpoints, and local media to get the message out.  Also, remember that with the increased patrol, Kentucky has a "Move Over or Slow Down" law.  That means, when you see an officer with a vehicle stopped, get over into the other lane, or if that isn't possible, slow your speed down to decrease the risk to the officer and stopped motorist.  Failure to yield this right-of-way to the officer can also result in a ticket.  

Finally, the sheriff wants to remind everyone that the child safety restraint laws have recently changed in Kentucky.  Children must now remain in child safety seats and in booster seats for a longer period of time than before.  "I want to thank the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety for helping us with this initiative," said Sheriff Doyle.  "Their assistance in receiving this overtime grant allows us to increase patrol at no cost to the taxpayers."

A seatbelt violation is the least expensive of all traffic tickets.  Violators are assessed a $25 fine (no court costs are incurred), no points on the license of the violator, and it doesn't show up on their record. 

Edmonson Voice Staff