DENVER (KDVR) — Law enforcement agencies across the state begin a major safety crackdown on Monday. The “Buckle Up Someone Needs You” campaign runs from July 21 to Aug. 1.
The Colorado Department of Transportation and 34 law enforcement agencies are reminding drivers that seat belts save lives.
Colorado’s seat belt usage rate is 3% below the national rate. July marks one of the busiest times of the year for highway travel. The effort marks the third seat belt enforcement campaign this year.
Law enforcement will increase patrols and issue citations to drivers not following the law as part of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign.
Drivers with unbuckled passengers and those who have improperly restrained children can also be ticketed.
CDOT’s website has information about an update to Colorado’s Child Passenger Safety Law, which increases the age at which children are required to use a child restraint system from under eight years of age to under nine years and includes changes in age and weight requirements for children who must be placed in a rear-facing child safety restraint.
Drivers can download Colorado’s Child Passenger Safety Law Card for more information.
In June 2024, Governor Jared Polis signed HB24-1055, which became effective Jan. 1, 2025. The bill updates the Child Passenger Safety Law. Fact sheets in 15 different languages are available on the multilingual guides and resources page. Questions can be emailed to carseatscolorado@gmail.com.
Law enforcement reports that 82 unbuckled drivers and passengers have been killed in crashes this year, which makes up half of all accident deaths.
Seat belt usage in Colorado is lowest among pickup truck and commercial vehicle drivers. Wearing a seat belt while in a pickup truck can reduce your risk of death by 60%.
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