Buckle up!

The Rappahannock County Sheriff's Office will be partnering with law enforcement across Virginia and the nation to increase seat belt use with the Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization in an effort to save more lives on Virginia's roadways.

According to preliminary numbers from DMV: The Virginia Highway Safety Office, there were 1,026 fatalities in Virginia in 2007. Of those, 749 fatalities occurred in vehicles that were equipped with safety restraints. 452 or 60 percent of the 749 fatalities were not wearing restraints.

The Rappahannock County Sheriff's Office will be out in force ticketing all motorists that are violating traffic laws in Virginia with a particular emphasis being placed on lack of seat belt and child safety seat use. Special checkpoints and other stepped up law enforcement activities will be conducted during the Mobilization May 18-June 1, 2008.

"There are still too many people dying or being injured as a result of not buckling up. Virginia experienced the highest number of fatalities in 2007 that we have seen in a decade, and that has to stop," said Sheriff Connie Smith. "That's why this May and throughout the year, we are increasing enforcement to continue to impress upon all citizens that seat belt use is a must when getting into any vehicle." Sheriff Connie Smith went on to say, "Regular use of seat belts clearly saves lives, unfortunately, too many folks in Virginia still need a tough reminder that wearing a seat belt is the absolute best way to protect themselves in a crash, so we are here to tell everyone, the Rappahannock County Sheriff's Office has zero tolerance when it comes to not buckling up. Please remember, buckle up every one, every ride. Click It or Ticket."

For more information, visit www.dmvnow.com/highwaysafety