The Fresno Police Department is ramping up seat belt enforcement as part of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign, reminding drivers and passengers to buckle up.

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The campaign, which started Monday and runs to June 1, bring additional patrols to Fresno streets. Officers are on the lookout for unbelted drivers and passengers, as well as children who are not secured in the appropriate car or booster seat.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,302 people killed in crashes nationwide in 2022 were not wearing seat belts. In California, that number reached 842 — a drop of 8.4% from 2021.

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California law requires all children under age 2 to ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh at least 40 pounds or are 40 inches tall. Children under age 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat unless certain exceptions apply. Children 8 and older, or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, may use a booster seat or must wear a properly fitted seat belt.

The police department offers free car seat inspections and installation help through its car seat safety program.

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Parents and caregivers can contact officer John Belli at (559) 621-5059 for more information.

Law enforcement and safety officials urge families to use the “Five-Step Test” to determine if children are ready to graduate from booster seats to adult seat belts.

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