Date: November 17, 2011By: Atlanta Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers

Georgia state troopers have begun their participation in the annual holiday season “Click it or Ticket” campaign, which began on November 14th and ends on Sunday, November 27th, according to ABC's WJBF. The Click It or Ticket (CIOT) campaign is called by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the “most successful seat belt enforcement campaign ever, helping create the highest national seat belt usage rate of 85 percent.” In addition to checking adults for seat belt use, officers are dedicated to making sure children are properly restrained. Checking child restraints is particularly important this year, as a new child safety seat law was passed in Georgia in July.

The new Georgia child safety seat law, effective on July 1st, requires children under 8 to be properly secured in an approved car seat or booster seat while riding in cars, vans, SUV’s, and pickup trucks. The previous child restraint law required children under the age of 6 to be restrained in a child safety seat. A first conviction carries a fine of $50 and one point against the license. Second and subsequent convictions carry fines of $100 and two points assessed. Georgia seat belt laws require that people 18 years of age and older must wear safety belts while driving or while riding in the front seat of passenger vehicles and pickup trucks, including SUVs. In addition, children between the ages of 8 and 17 must wear a seat belt at all times.

Data on 2008 seat belt use by the NHTSA shows interesting demographic trends. The most likely occupants to wear seat belts are women, older people, races other than African Americans, and those driving with a passenger. Research has shown robust results detailing that seat belts are the single most effective means to protect the occupant of a vehicle in a crash. The NHTSA reports that from 2004 to 2008, seat belts saved over 75,000 lives and countless injuries. In addition, child restraints are also extremely effective. Of the 1,755 injuries and 10 fatalities to children in motor vehicle accidents in 2008, only 12% were reported to be using a restraint such as a booster seat or child safety seat.

Drivers and occupants that are not restrained have been shown to be more susceptible to serious injuries or death in an automobile accident. This campaign seeks to protect the lives of Georgia’s residents by pushing them to wear a seat belt and to properly restrain children at all times. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, contact one of our dedicated Atlanta car accident lawyers to see if you could possibly enter a lawsuit to recover compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

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Keywords: click it or ticket campaign, georgia seatbelt laws