May 8th, 2025

Galena, IL – The Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office is joining forces with law enforcement agencies across the nation to promote road safety through the “Click It or Ticket” campaign. From May 16 to May 27, officers will be cracking down on seat belt usage, particularly around the Memorial Day holiday.

According to Chief Deputy Klaus Kretschmer, buckling up is a simple yet crucial habit that can significantly reduce injuries and save lives in the event of a crash. “Seat belt use should be an automatic habit for everyone,” he emphasized. “It’s not just safe; it’s the law.”

Illinois has come a long way since enacting its seat belt law on July 1, 1985. The law initially required drivers and front-seat passengers aged eight and older to wear seat belts, while children under eight were required to be secured in child safety seats. Since then, seat belt usage has skyrocketed from 15.9% in 1985 to 92.4% in 2024.

Despite this progress, there’s still room for improvement. The Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office and participating law enforcement agencies will take a no-excuses approach to enforcement, issuing citations day and night to drivers and passengers who fail to buckle up.

Notably, nighttime enforcement will be a key focus of the campaign, as Illinois crash data indicates higher rates of unrestrained fatalities at night. Statistics also show that 72% of male passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2023 were unrestrained, compared to 28% of female passenger vehicle occupants.

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is funded by federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. For more information on safe driving practices, residents can visit the Galena Police Department’s website.

By buckling up, drivers and passengers can significantly reduce their risk of injury or death in the event of a crash. So, remember to click it or ticket – your life depends on it.

Contact: Chief Deputy Klaus Kretschmer
(815) 777-2141
kkretschmer@jodaviesscountyil.gov