FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2000

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

23,328 TOTAL CITATIONS ISSUED, INCLUDING 14,463 SEAT BELT CITATIONS

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety and other state and local law enforcement agencies ended the 14-day Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign on Dec. 3, issuing a total of 23,328 citations and 14,463 seat belt citations at almost 2,500 checkpoint locations.

There was almost a 30 percent drop in fatalities – 31 this year compared to 44 last year – when comparing the 14 days of the enforcement period to the same time last year and an almost 40 percent drop in fatal collisions – 26 this year compared to 43 last year.

"We are obviously very pleased with the results," said DPS Director Boykin Rose. "Our goal through Click It or Ticket was to save lives and without a doubt, we did that. Our hope is that people will continue to buckle up once the campaign is over and we will see those fatality numbers continue to decline. "

DPS estimates that nearly 100,000 cars passed through more than 2,000 checkpoints over the 14-day period and around 88 percent were in compliance with the seat belt law.

Before and during the campaign, a television and radio advertising public information blitz alerted people that officers would be out in force holding public safety checkpoints. Throughout the enforcement period, other events were held to heighten awareness. NTSB Chairman Jim Hall attended a post-Thanksgiving news conference emphasizing child passenger safety. Also, DPS and other agencies conducted child safety seat check clinics throughout the state during the campaign and met with legislators and other officials to explain the campaign.

Some of the highlights of the campaign include: 14,463 seat belt citations issued; 1,082 child restraint citations issued; 11 fugitives apprehended, 3,882 driver’s license violations, 1,351 vehicle license violations, 630 driving under suspension, 42 driving under the influence (see Media Advisory for complete totals).

"Click It or Ticket not only educated people about seat belt usage, but it took many dangerous drivers off our highways," said Highway Patrol Col. Ralph Mobley. "Our hope is that we have raised awareness and changed many people’s seat belt habits for good."

Over the coming weeks, DPS will analyze the data and conduct a follow-up seat belt survey to assess whether the campaign has met its goal of raising seat belt compliance in the state from 65 to 75 percent.

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