‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign returns, child car seat safety event in Harlingen

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Sgt. Sal Carmona with the Harlingen Police Department spoke with ValleyCentral about “Click It or Ticket.

May 2024 marks the 22nd anniversary of “Click It or Ticket,” a campaign urging Texans to buckle up. Currently, more than 90 percent of Texans wear seatbelts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates since its start 22 years ago, “Click It or Ticket” has saved more than 7,800 lives, prevented 139,000 serious injuries, and saved Texas more than $40 billion in related economic costs.

“We wanted to bring more awareness to people who haven’t put on their seatbelts. I think a lot of it concerns the false sense of security with the airbags. The airbags are a supplement to our seatbelts. In other words, we need to wear the seatbelt. Like a team, the airbags work together with the seatbelts,” said Sgt. Carmona.

Beginning May 20 and running through June 2, Harlingen Police will be patrolling day and night looking for seatbelt violators. It is a $200 ticket and another $200 violation for each person not wearing a seatbelt, children included.

In addition, Harlingen Police will have a car seat event, on Thursday, May 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Casa de Amistad located at 1204 Fair Park Blvd.

“We want parents to bring their child and the car seat they currently use. We will inspect them to make sure they are not expired. Make sure it is the right seat for that child,” Carmona said.

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