SAN ANTONIO — You should always buckle up before hitting the road, and, beginning Monday, you'll have some extra incentive.
Law enforcement across Texas are beginning their Click It or Ticket campaign as part of Seat Safety Belt Awareness Month, keeping a closer eye out for drivers or passengers who aren't buckled in.
Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of dying in a crash by 45%, a number that jumps to 60% in the event of a pickup truck crash. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, nearly 1,000 people died in 2018 because they weren't wearing their seat belt
And it's the law, too, for drivers and all passengers to be buckled up. If you're not, you risk being slapped with a fine of up to $200.
Children younger than 8 years old must be restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they're taller than 4 feet 9 inches.
KENS 5 recently spoke with the parents of a teen who died in late 2017 after unbuckling her seat belt for just a few moments to snap a picture. The family is now making seat belt advocacy their mission, traveling across the state to share their story.