CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — As Memorial Day and the unofficial kickoff to summer near, the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is urging drivers to remember “Click it or Ticket,” particularly during that weekend and the preceding week.

Sheriff Dustin Heuerman announced that his department will join a national effort focused on seatbelt enforcement from May 16 through Memorial Day. Deputies will strictly enforce this rule, issuing citations both day and night without exceptions.

“Wearing a seat belt should be a reflex for everyone,” stated Sheriff Heuerman. “It’s not only safe but required by law. Throughout this campaign, law enforcement agencies will collaborate to ensure all drivers and passengers get the message. Fastening your seatbelt is the easiest way to lessen harm or save a life in case of an accident.”

Heuerman added that the State of Illinois achieved a commendable 92.4% daytime seatbelt usage last year, but that means 7.6% of people still need to be reminded. While enforcement will happen at both day and night, a key focus of the “Click it or Ticket” campaign is on nighttime enforcement, when crash data in Illinois indicated fatal crashes happen more.

Illinois enacted its seatbelt law 40 years ago, becoming the third state in the nation to require seatbelt use for all vehicle occupants. The law was upgraded in 2003, allowing police officers to pull over and ticket drivers solely for failing to buckle up, and that led to a significant increase in compliance.

Data shows seat belt usage surged from 16% in 1985 to 92.4% in 2024.

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is funded with federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.