Officers remind Idahoans to 'Click it Don’t Risk It'

BONNERS FERRY — Officers from the Bonners Ferry Police Department are taking part in a statewide effort to increase seat belt use in Idaho. The emphasis is ongoing through Memorial Day weekend.

These additional patrols will be dedicated to enforcing Idaho’s seat belt law.

“We want the act of buckling up to become automatic to all drivers and passengers,” said BFPD Chief Brian Zimmerman. “It’s not just a safe thing to do — it’s the law. During this campaign, we’ll be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across local and state lines to ensure the message gets out to drivers and passengers — seat belts save lives.”

According to the Idaho Transportation Department, in 2020, there were 86 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in Idaho. Seat belts have an effective rate of nearly 50 percent, meaning 43 of those people could have been saved had they been buckled up.

Most Idahoans buckle up — a recent survey by the ITD found that nearly 83 percent of Idahoans use their seat belt. Although four out of five Idahoans choose to buckle up, Idaho is still below the national average of just over 90 percent.

“Seat belts are a simple and effective way to protect yourself and your family but they only work when you buckle up,” Zimmerman said.

The additional patrols will be funded by grants through ITD’s Office of Highway Safety and will run through Memorial Day weekend. The holiday weekend represents the unofficial beginning of summer and the beginning of the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” — a time where fatal crashes typically increase.

“We see what happens when people don’t use their seat belt,” Zimmerman said. “We want everyone to safely enjoy the summer and that begins by buckling up. Our officers will be out doing their part to keep families whole, that’s why we’re asking you to click it, don’t risk it.”