Minnesota Launches ‘Click It or Ticket’ Campaign as Summer Driving Season Nears

(KNSI) – Minnesota law enforcement reminds drivers to buckle up to avoid paying fines and save their lives.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety says in 2024, there were 476 traffic fatalities, and of those, 106 victims were not wearing a seat belt. As spring moves into summer, the number of people on the road increases. As a result, the OTS is organizing its annual Click It or Ticket campaign from now through June 1st.

State law dictates that a vehicle can be stopped and the driver ticketed if they or their passengers aren’t buckled up. Minnesota’s Child Passenger Safety Law specifies ages for rear- and forward-facing car seats, booster seats and seat belts, which are governed according to height, weight, and manufacturer. Children must be in a booster seat until they are nine or have outgrown it. Children under 13 years old must sit in the back seat if possible.

“Don’t underestimate the power of wearing your seat belt properly and securing children in a car seat. It will save a life,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson. “If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for your children. When they see you modeling safe behavior, they will do it too. If everyone did this last year, more than 100 families would still be whole.”

According to the OTS, nearly 95% of Minnesotans wear their seat belt, but unbelted riders make up more than 20% of traffic fatalities.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides campaign funding for overtime enforcement and awareness, supporting the Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program.

For more on Minnesota’s rules around seatbelt use for kids, click here.

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