From May 22nd through June 4th, state and local law enforcement agencies across Iowa will be stepping up seat belt enforcement.

Iowa’s seat belt usage rate of 94%is one of the highest in the nation but the remaining six percent of vehicle occupants account for approximately half of all traffic fatalities.

Nationwide, there were 12,797 traffic fatalities on rural roads compared to 8,262 on urban streets. Fifty percent of those killed in rural crashes were unbuckled compared to 46 percent in urban crashes.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office wants residents to remember, the habit of buckling up is as simple as turning on a light switch. It should be an automatic action for you and everyone in your vehicle. Day and night, front seat and back, Click It or Ticket! You just may save a life.