News Release

Nov. 14 , 2007

Click It or Ticket mobilization spotlights child protection

AMES, Iowa – Starting tomorrow and running through Nov. 25, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) will use permanent dynamic message signs to remind Iowans to “Click It or Ticket – Seat Belts Save Lives.” The signs are located in Ames, Mason City, Sioux City, Iowa City, Council Bluffs, Cedar Rapids, the Quad Cities, and the Des Moines metro area.

The signs will be in operation to complement a law enforcement effort to support the use of safety belts, and especially the proper installation and type of restraint for children.

A great resource for information on child safety seat requirements and safe installation is located on the Blank Children's Hospital Web site at www.blankchildrens.org . Click on the “advocacy and outreach” button on the left and then on “child passenger safety.”

The enforcement campaign is part of Iowa 's special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP), a coordinated effort by law enforcement agencies to increase highway safety. Iowa DOT motor vehicle officers will join more than 200 state law enforcement agencies in an effort targeted to increase seat belt usage in all vehicles.

Since 1986 when the state's original seat belt mandate was signed, nearly 5,900 people involved in Iowa crashes have been spared death or serious injury because they wore a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Messages will be displayed from Nov. 15 to Nov. 25 in accordance with the following schedule (subject to override by critical traffic safety notices or Amber Alerts):

Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

This campaign is the last of the special enforcement efforts scheduled for 2007.

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