Buckle up for safety

Published June 4, 2014
By Senior Airman Frank Casciotta
71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The national Click it or Ticket campaign kicked off May 19, and the members of the 71st Security Forces Squadron are doing their part to promote the program here.

"The purpose of the program is to spread awareness about safety, not just writing tickets," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Weathers, the 71st SFS plans and programs manager. "Our guys will do their part by paying extra attention to seatbelts."

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration website, seatbelts saved more than 15,000 lives in 2007.

Beyond the safety aspect, there are legal repercussions from not wearing a seatbelt.

Any military member pulled over for not properly wearing a seatbelt will receive two points on their base driving record. Civilians will receive a $25 ticket.

If a person gets caught not wearing a seatbelt on base twice within a six-month period they can receive a 30-day base driving suspension. If they are caught a third time within 12 months they can receive a 60-day driving suspension.

"Keep in mind that the maximum speed limit is only 25 mph, but a head-on collision at that speed is equivalent to a 50 mph impact," said Weathers. "That's the reason we have these high standards -- we want to minimize risk the best way we can."