Click It or Ticket campaign targeting unbuckled drivers - May 17, 2013

“Tickets available for Every Seat.”

CENTER, Texas — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Center Police Department today are reminding motorists that there are “Tickets available for Every Seat” – in a vehicle. That with the kick off the 12th annual Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign at a news conference at the Center Law Enforcement Complex.

At about 94 percent compliance, Texas ranks in the Top 10 states in the nation for seat belt use, but some drivers and passengers still are not getting the message. Motorists in rural areas, teens and pickup truck drivers and their passengers continue to lag behind when it comes to buckling up.

“We’ve come a long way since seat belts were first required 45 years ago, and the 2002 launch of the Click It or Ticket public education program,” said Kathi White, TxDOT spokesperson. “Seat belt usage was about 76 % then but 12 years later there’s still a constant need for awareness about Texas seat belts laws. We know a seat belt can save your life but some still don’t get it.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates the Click It or Ticket campaign has saved nearly 3,700 lives and prevented more than 50,000 serious injuries since its launch. In 2012 over 21,200 seat belt citations were issued during the Click It or Ticket enforcement period. Almost 4000 child passenger restraint citations were issued during last year’s enforcement period.

In an effort to reduce those numbers, from May 20 to June 2 state troopers will join police officers and sheriffs’ deputies statewide to step up enforcement of the state’s safety belt laws. The Center Police Department is one of those agencies that will be looking for unbuckled motorists.

“If you don’t buckle up yourself and every passenger in your vehicle, you’re getting a ticket,” said Chief Jim Albers of the Center Police Department. “The law requires everybody in a vehicle to wear a seat belt and police will be ticketing unbelted vehicle occupants around the clock - night and day. There are tickets available for every seat so buckle up.

All occupants of a vehicle, no matter their age, must be secured by a seat belt, no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. Unbuckled drivers and occupants could face fines up to $200. Fines are up to $250 plus court costs when children are not properly restrained.

TxDOT and Center Police hold Click It or Ticket Kick-off Event - May 16, 2013
Press Release

LUFKIN, Texas — Seat belt use in Texas stands at about 94 percent but some drivers and passengers still are not getting the message. Motorists in rural areas, teens and pickup truck drivers and their passengers continue to lag behind when it comes to buckling up. On Thursday, May 16th, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) joins forces with the Center Police Department to remind drivers and passengers to Click it or Ticket.

In fact, TxDOT has enlisted the help of law enforcement agencies statewide to help drive its message home as it celebrates the public safety legacy of President Lyndon Johnson. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the year when automakers were first required by legislation signed by President Johnson to install seat belts in all vehicles. Law enforcement agencies are stepping-up enforcement the entire month but especially from May 20 to June 2, including the Memorial Day holiday weekend, ticketing anyone in a vehicle not buckled up.

TxDOT and Center Police hold Click It or Ticket kick-off event to highlight the 45th anniversary of first legislation requiring seat belt use will take place Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 10 in the City of Center Enforcement Complex located at 1020 Shelbyville Street in Center.

"Click It or Ticket" Public Awareness Campaign - May 9, 2013
Submitted by Allison Beck

For the 12th consecutive year, the Texas Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies statewide are joining forces for the annual “Click It or Ticket” public awareness campaign. It reminds drivers and passengers of the life-saving benefits of seat belts and warns motorists that law enforcement officers across the state will be ticketing those who are not buckles up. Since the campaign first began in 2002, the state’s seat belt use rate has steadily climbed from 76 percent to 94 percent today. Wearing a seat belt reduces risk of being injured in a serious crash by 45 percent. Texas law requires drivers and all passengers in a vehicle to be secured by a safety belt.

Buranakitipinyo Named Area Engineer at Local TxDOT Office - May 9, 2013
Submitted by Kathi White

LUFKIN, Texas — The Texas Department of Transportation has named Kevin Buranakitipinyo as Nacogdoches Area Engineer for the Lufkin District. Kevin started his new job on May 1. Kevin Buranakitipinyo replaces Michael Lee who last month was named Director of Operations in TxDOT’s Paris District.

The Nacogdoches Area Office oversees TxDOT operations for Nacogdoches, Sabine, San Augustine and Shelby counties. The area office, located at 918 Industrial Blvd., is in the same building as the Nacogdoches Maintenance Section.

Kevin began his TxDOT career in May 2003 after earning a BS in Civil Engineering from Texas A & M University. His first job was as an Engineer in Training working in design and construction at the Lufkin Area Office. In December 2007, he became a licensed transportation engineer and was named project manager of the U.S. 59 South Interchange Project in Lufkin. Just months after completing the project, he was named Assistant Area Engineer for the Nacogdoches Office. In February 2012, he moved to the Amarillo District where he served as the lead worker for the Design Team.

Kevin and his wife, Amanda, will live in Hudson. They have three children, Aiden, 6; Kason, 4; and Kinsley, 21 months.