BUCKLE UP TO AVOID A TICKET AND ARRIVE ALIVE

Stone County, MO - Nearly one in four Missouri motorists fail to regularly wear their seat belt in a motor vehicle. Only 76 percent of Missourians buckle up regularly, eight percent less than the national average of 84 percent.

The Stone County Sheriff's Office announced today they are joining with law enforcement November 18 for an aggressive "Click It or Ticket" mobilization to crack down on Missouri's safety belt law violators and to reduce highway fatalities.

Failure to regularly wear a safety belt can be deadly. In 2008, 489 people killed in traffic crashes weren't wearing their seat belt. Seven out of ten Missourians killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled.

"Everyday someone dies in a crash in Missouri because they weren't buckled up," said Sheriff Richard Hill. "We'll be out there to remind you seat belts can - and do - save lives every day."

For information on Missouri seatbelt usage, visit www.saveMOlives.com.

Richard Hill, Sheriff
Stone County