With traffic fatalities up 12% from 2020, Colorado will begin its largest seat belt enforcement period on Monday.

The enforcement period was organized by the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol. They will be working in partnership with 47 local law enforcement agencies across the state from May 24 through June 6.

Officials are hoping the campaign will reduce the number of fatalities and injuries associated with vehicle accidents, but also keep the roads safer as the summer months begin.

“The enforcement period encourages people to buckle up to avoid a citation, but more importantly, get home safely to their loved ones,” officials said in a CDOT news release.

Drivers throughout Colorado are utilizing the seat belt 4% less than the national average of 90%, which has resulted in an increase in fatalities in 2021, according to CDOT.

Last year, 612 people, including pedestrians, were killed on Colorado roadways, while 365 people were killed in passenger vehicles. And 56% of them were unbuckled at the time of collision, according to CDOT.

Officials are hoping the Click It or Ticket campaign will help increase the usage of seat belts across the state. Since its implementation in 2002, the seat belt rate statewide has increased from 72% to 86%, according to CDOT.

With traffic fatalities up 12% from 2020, Colorado will begin its largest seat belt enforcement period on Monday.

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The enforcement period was organized by the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol. They will be working in partnership with 47 local law enforcement agencies across the state from May 24 through June 6.

Officials are hoping the campaign will reduce the number of fatalities and injuries associated with vehicle accidents, but also keep the roads safer as the summer months begin.

“The enforcement period encourages people to buckle up to avoid a citation, but more importantly, get home safely to their loved ones,” officials said in a CDOT news release.

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Drivers throughout Colorado are utilizing the seat belt 4% less than the national average of 90%, which has resulted in an increase in fatalities in 2021, according to CDOT.

Last year, 612 people, including pedestrians, were killed on Colorado roadways, while 365 people were killed in passenger vehicles. And 56% of them were unbuckled at the time of collision, according to CDOT.

Officials are hoping the Click It or Ticket campaign will help increase the usage of seat belts across the state. Since its implementation in 2002, the seat belt rate statewide has increased from 72% to 86%, according to CDOT.