Buckle up or pay up

Through June 1, Sonoma Valley drivers who trust their safety to luck rather than common sense could pay more than $400 during California’s fourth annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign.
“We want to make sure that all drivers and passengers buckle up on every ride, day and night,” Sonoma Police Chief Bret Sackett said of the campaign, which started Monday. “Our officers will be on the lookout for those who are not buckled up and for teens and children not riding properly restrained.”
Police Sgt. Dave Thompson said last year’s effort resulted in 105 citations, of which four were passengers. He said a survey last week at the First Street West/West Napa Street intersection showed 91 percent compliance.
State law requires drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts at all times, with a hefty fine for non-compliance: $80 to $91 for adults and $330 to $401 for children under age 16. California currently has the nation’s fourth highest seat belt use rate at 94.6 percent. While that’s climbed in recent years, the rate among California teens is 88.9 percent.
“We will not accept excuses or give warnings,” Sackett said. “It’s Click It or Ticket.”