Arkansas law enforcement agencies will increase patrols during the Thanksgiving holiday as part of the nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign, reminding drivers and passengers to buckle up. The high-visibility enforcement effort runs November 24-30, according to the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office.
The goal is to reduce deadly crashes involving unrestrained occupants – a persistent problem during holiday travel. In 2023, 309 passenger vehicle occupants were killed nationwide during the Thanksgiving period, and 44% of them were not wearing a seat belt. Nearly half of those unbuckled deaths occurred at night.
“Buckle your seat belt to stay safe and follow the law,” Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Col. Mike Hagar said. “If our law enforcement officers spot you riding without a seat belt, we will pull you over and issue a ticket. That seat belt may mean the difference between life and death.”
Arkansas law requires drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts, with violations carrying fines up to $45. Children under 15 must be in a seat belt or approved car seat regardless of where they sit in the vehicle, and violations can result in fines up to $100.
More information on seat belt safety is available at NHTSA.gov/SeatBelts or by contacting the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.
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