As St. Lawrence County residents take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, state police are urging everyone to buckle up.

Now through June 5 law enforcement officials will be out in force, taking part in the 2016 National Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted.

“As we kick-off the busy summer driving season, it is critical that everyone buckles up every time they go out, day or night – no excuses,” said Major Charles E. Guess. “To enhance highway safety and save lives, our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt, including drivers that have neglected to properly buckle their children. – Remember, Click It or Ticket.”

At 6 p.m. on May 23, troopers will join law enforcement agencies across the eastern United States in mobilizing the Click It or Ticket (CIOT) “Border to Border” Operation. Law enforcement agencies will join forces to provide increased seat belt enforcement at state borders, sending a zero tolerance message to the public: driving or riding unbuckled will result in a ticket, no matter what state.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 9,385 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2014 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. Statistically unbelted fatalities are more prevalent at night than during the daytime: 58 percent of those killed in 2014 during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. were unbelted at the time of the crash.

In 2015, State Police in Troop “B” investigated 18 fatal crashes. Of those, 7 were fatal crashes where an unrestrained occupant was killed. 3 of the 7 crashes occurred during the overnight hours, compared to 4 during daytime hours.

“Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater,” said Major Guess. “We want to make this the safest summer possible. Buckling up is not optional; it’s the difference between life and death in a crash. That’s why we are out here enforcing the law. Click it or Ticket, every time, day or night.”

Thousands of Americans are alive today because a seat belt saved them during a crash. In 2014, the use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 12,802 lives. From 2010 to 2014, seat belts saved an estimated 63,000 lives. So while this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 23rd – June 5th, officers will continue to save lives by enforcing seat belt laws year-round.

For more on the national Click It or Ticket mobilization, visit www.nhtsa.gov.