More than 2,000 drivers were ticketed in less than two weeks during the Colorado Department of Transportation’s increased seat belt enforcement, the department announced Thursday.

From May 24 to June 6, the department and 63 law enforcement agencies throughout the state partnered for the Click It or Ticket enforcement program, issuing 2,123 citations, including 58 for improperly restrained children.

Jefferson County issued the most citations with 364, followed by Colorado Springs with 285 and Castle Rock with 190. In addition, the Colorado State Patrol cited 289 drivers.

“Buckling up is an easy decision, and it may be one that saves your life,” State Patrol Chief Matthew Packard said. “The 2,123 citations issued this enforcement period serve as a reminder to buckle up every ride, because your life matters.”

Under Colorado law, seat belts are required for the driver and front passenger seats, and for children younger than 16 years old in any seat. If the driver is younger than 18, all passengers must wear seat belts regardless of age.

Fines for not buckling up start at $65, and parents or caregivers caught with an improperly restrained child can receive a minimum fine of $82.

In 2020, 203 unbuckled drivers and passengers were killed in crashes in the state, accounting for more than half of Colorado’s 365 total passenger vehicle deaths, according to CDOT.

“We are expecting increased travel this summer with warmer weather and vaccination rates rising,” said Darrell Lingk, director of the Highway Safety Office. “We hope this recent seat belt enforcement period serves as a reminder to all Coloradans that buckling up is a matter of life or death on our roadways.”

Colorado’s statewide seat belt use is 86% — which is 4% lower than the national average. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of injury or death in a crash by 50%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This was Colorado’s first Click It or Ticket enforcement period of 2021. The next enforcement period is set to take place from July 31 to Aug. 6.

More than 2,000 drivers were ticketed in less than two weeks during the Colorado Department of Transportation’s increased seat belt enforcement, the department announced Thursday.

From May 24 to June 6, the department and 63 law enforcement agencies throughout the state partnered for the Click It or Ticket enforcement program, issuing 2,123 citations, including 58 for improperly restrained children.

Jefferson County issued the most citations with 364, followed by Colorado Springs with 285 and Castle Rock with 190. In addition, the Colorado State Patrol cited 289 drivers.

“Buckling up is an easy decision, and it may be one that saves your life,” State Patrol Chief Matthew Packard said. “The 2,123 citations issued this enforcement period serve as a reminder to buckle up every ride, because your life matters.”

Under Colorado law, seat belts are required for the driver and front passenger seats, and for children younger than 16 years old in any seat. If the driver is younger than 18, all passengers must wear seat belts regardless of age.

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Fines for not buckling up start at $65, and parents or caregivers caught with an improperly restrained child can receive a minimum fine of $82.

In 2020, 203 unbuckled drivers and passengers were killed in crashes in the state, accounting for more than half of Colorado’s 365 total passenger vehicle deaths, according to CDOT.

“We are expecting increased travel this summer with warmer weather and vaccination rates rising,” said Darrell Lingk, director of the Highway Safety Office. “We hope this recent seat belt enforcement period serves as a reminder to all Coloradans that buckling up is a matter of life or death on our roadways.”

Colorado’s statewide seat belt use is 86% — which is 4% lower than the national average. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of injury or death in a crash by 50%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This was Colorado’s first Click It or Ticket enforcement period of 2021. The next enforcement period is set to take place from July 31 to Aug. 6.