Beatrice, NEB. - The Beatrice Police Department is reemphasizing the importance of click it or ticket.

From Nov. 23-Dec. 1, the department is participating in the Click it or Ticket enforcement campaign, to remind drivers the importance of using safety restraints, and will ticket those who fail to comply. Beatrice Police Captain Dan Moss says the campaign is being funded via a grant from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“They will reimburse departments for overtime people work so officers can go out and do extra enforcement,” Moss said. “So people can go out and make traffic stops to enforce the seat belt law.”

Seatbelt use is a secondary law in Nebraska, which requires another offense noticed by an officer beforehand.

“Seatbelt law I’d have to pull you over for not stopping at a stop sign, illegal turn, etc.” Moss said. “If they see you’re not wearing your seat belt, and have reason to believe you might not have been wearing it, then they can write you a ticket for it.”

While accidents at highway speeds are certainly worse, Moss says that doesn’t mean seat belt use should go away at speeds of 30-35 MPH. While injuries still can occur, they lessen the severity.

“They might get a superficial injury from the airbag blowing up and get a little rug burn on their face from that, but you’re not going to see the broken legs or arms or big lacerations,” Moss said.

And while seat belt law is a secondary law now, Moss does believe if it was upgraded to a primary law, more traffic stops would be made and more citations would be handed out - which could mean an increase in seat belt usage.

“I think it would encourage people to do it more, because they know you can get pulled over just for not having your seat belt on.”