Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has been awarded a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to assist California in achieving a 92 percent seat belt compliance rate by June 2005. Currently, California is ranked number two in the nation for seat belt compliance. With each percentage point of seat belt use compliance, the LAPD estimates that tens of thousands of lives could be saved during traffic collisions.

A combined effort of state and local law enforcement agencies will conduct a 21-day seat belt enforcement campaign. The "Click It or Ticket" campaign will be in effect from May 16 until June 5, 2005 .

The $89,200 awarded to the LAPD will fund overtime for field personnel to educate the public on the importance of seat belt usage through traffic enforcement. Additionally, the Department will receive assistance from the countywide "Watch the Road" campaign, administered by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, to provide educational seat belt information to the public.

If you have any questions, please contact Sergeant Bob Rieboldt, Traffic Coordination Section, Special Operations Support Division, at 213-473-7788.