CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Air Mobility Command safety officials re-emphasized the requirement for Airmen to wear safety belts when driving, as the 101 Critical Days of Summer continue.
"We encourage everyone to wear seatbelts, especially during the high-risk season of the 101 Critical Days of Summer," said Master Sgt. Ray Rose, 437th Airlift Wing Safety Office operation safety superintendent. "When the program first started, not many people paid attention to it, but now I think people are starting to get the message."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Click It or Ticket" program began May 14 and runs through Sunday. The program encourages states to make seatbelt laws primary laws, allowing law enforcement officers to make traffic stops solely upon sight of a driver or front-seat passenger not wearing a safety belt.
"It's sad that even after all the briefings, warnings and casualties that people still have to be reminded to wear their seatbelts," said Sergeant Rose. "When I've done seatbelt checks, I've had to tell a few people to buckle up, but I've never had to tell the same person twice."
More states continue to adopt primary legislation mandating seatbelt use, according to the NHTSA. Civilian law enforcement agencies are on the lookout, especially during the weekends.
In addition to the risks of death or injury taken by offenders, drivers also are subject to a fine for each offense, including a fine for the driver if the front seat passenger is seen not wearing a seatbelt.
"Motor vehicle accidents continue to be the leading cause of death to our military members," said Tech. Sgt. Elliot Reed, 437th Airlift Wing Safety Office operation risk management program manager. "Of the 18 Air Force members who died last year, seven were automobile and four were motorcycle accidents -- four of those seven victims failed to wear seatbelts."
"Seatbelts ... wear them, that's what they're made for," said Capt. Manny Vega, 437th Airlift Wing safety officer.
(Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla also contributed to this story.)