The Glendale Police Department is set to increase seat belt enforcement after receiving an $8,000 "Click It or Ticket" campaign grant, a partnership supported by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The funding will target those not adhering to seat belt laws from May 19 through June 1, 2025, as per information from the city's official announcement.
This grant will specifically allow to dramatically bolster the department's overtime capabilities, ensuring that additional resources are dedicated to this two-week push aimed at improving road safety through enforcement. Seat belt compliance has proven to be a life-saving measure. Citing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Glendale Police Department reinforced that in 2024, the national use rate of seat belts reached 91.2%, contributing significantly to the preservation of lives on the road.
Statistics show the impact of seat belt usage in stark terms. Nearly half of the 23,959 passenger vehicle occupants who lost their lives in 2023 were not buckled up, according to the City of Glendale. It’s a reminder that seat belts have the power to save lives; an estimated 14,955 in 2017 alone, with another 2,549 potentially saved lives if seat belts had been used. The upcoming enforcement period will see Glendale Police adopt a "zero tolerance" stance on violations related to seat belts and child safety seats.
