Wear your seatbelt — “Click It or Ticket” mobilization declared

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga has proclaimed May 17th to June 14th as the “Click it or Ticket” enforcement mobilization in American Samoa and urged all residents to “always wear seat belts when driving or riding on our roadways.”

According to data collected, regular seat belt use is the single most effective was to protect people and to reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. Additionally, the use of seat belts is supported by the laws of American Samoa.

Across the country, law enforcement officers will actively be participating in the mobilization to ensure all motor vehicles occupants are buckled up day and night, and to reduce the risk of injury and death caused in traffic crashes, according to the declaration.

It also says that increased enforcement of seat belt laws, coupled with publicity has proven to be an effective method to increase seat belt use and decrease fatal crashes.

The Public Safety Department is expected to join the national campaign of “Click it or Ticket” by conducting road checks to ensure that motorists comply with local seat belt laws.