West Virginia is in full swing of its annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign that takes place every May. Law enforcement agencies will be will be participating in the program by conducting overtime enforcement activities.
The West Virginia State Code 17C-15-49 was passed in September 1993, making seat belt use in a motor vehicle mandatory. The law states:
· All drivers must wear a seat belt.
· All passengers in the front must wear a seat belt.
· All passengers in the back under the age of 18 must wear a seat belt.
· Violators can be fined up to $25.
The statistics are proof that seat belts save lives. According to the Mid-Ohio Valley Highway Safety Program, in 2011, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide. In fatal crashes during 2011, 77 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who were thrown from their vehicles were killed. One percent of crash victims who were buckled up were totally ejected from their vehicles, compared to 31 percent of those who were unbelted. Motorists are 75 percent less likely to be killed in a rollover crash if they are buckled up.
In other statistics from 2011, of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide, 52 percent were not wearing seat belts. From 2007-2011, 53 percent of the 121,507 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts.
National statistic show that young men are especially at risk. Among teens and young adults, ages 18-34 killed in crashes in 2011, 64 percent were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. This is the highest percentage in any age group.
WV Click it or Ticket
To learn about what types of damages are available through a personal injury claim, take a moment to read this article which discusses the possibility of obtaining damages to compensate for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our West Virginia personal injury law firm has written an in-depth legal guide on what to do if you or a loved one are seriously injured in an auto accident. Our attorneys have also answered dozens of questions related to personal injury law, car accidents and more; click here to read them.