May 24, 2011 - The Houston Police Department, along with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and other agencies kicked off the annual "Click It or Ticket" spring campaign in front of Houston City Hall this morning, (May 24).

Photos of today's event are attached to this news release.

HPD, along with thousands of other law enforcement officers statewide, are out in increased force through June 5, including the Memorial Day holiday weekend, to ticket anyone who is not buckled up.  Thanks to this initiative, there have been more than 2,800 lives saved by wearing seat belts in the last 10 years.

HPD Assistant Chief Brian Lumpkin said, "The leading cause of deaths in the state of Texas are automobile crashes and about half of those fatalities are from motorists not buckling up.  We want to remind motorists that we will be checking for compliance and if you're not wearing a seat belt, you will be ticketed," Chief Lumpkin added.

State law also requires all front and back seat passengers to buckle up.  Fines for failing to wear a seat belt can be up to $250.  

VHS/JFC  5-24-11