Timed with the approaching Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, law enforcement agencies, both local and statewide, will have an increased presence on area roadways beginning Monday. 

That's due to the Click it or Ticket campaign, which emphasizes seat belt safety for motorists. 

Still relatively new to the State of Kansas is the law, passed in 2010, that allows law enforcement to stop a vehicle solely on suspicion that seat belts are not being worn, both by the driver and passengers, including adults.

Again leading the effort is the Kansas Highway Patrol, with troopers to be out in force seeking motorists breaking the law. 

Trooper Don Hughes says “Click It or Ticket” allows a partnership between participating law enforcement agencies to keep motorists safe(Play Audio :11 seconds)

Among the numerous departments signed on for the effort are those in the immediate local area, including the Brown County Sheriff's Office, the Hiawatha Police Department and the Sac and Fox Police Department. 

The program is made possible through funds allocated by the Kansas Department of Transportation, made available from the federal level, based on a number of factors pertaining to state wide traffic safety(Play Audio :07 seconds) 

Strong emphasis is placed on child passengers, with adults reminded that passengers 14 and under must be restrained.  Children under the age of four must be secured in an approved safety seat.  Those four through seven must be securely belted into an approved booster seat unless the child is taller than 4 feet 9 inches or heavier than 80 pounds. Those eight through 13 must be safety belted. 

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign runs through June 3rd.