The Illinois Department of Transportation joined Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies yesterday to honor survivors of motor vehicle crashes whose lives were saved by wearing a seat belt and to encourage all motorists to “Click It or Ticket” entering the busy summer travel season. The “Saved by the Belt” award is given by IDOT to individuals who avoided serious injury or death because they were properly restrained. Law enforcement officials and first responders nominate potential awardees based on evaluation of crash reports. Crash data from 2011 to 2015 shows an estimated 1,895 lives were saved in Illinois because of seat belt use. Illinois law requires every vehicle occupant to wear a seat belt. Through Memorial Day, motorists can expect to see increased patrols and enforcement zones statewide as part of IDOT’s “Click It or Ticket” mobilization. Law enforcement will be looking for seat-belt violations and signs of impaired driving.
