Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office will join fellow law enforcement officer across the state and around the country in the latest mobilization of “Click It or Ticket.”

The education and enforcement campaign encourages motorists to “buckle up” in a collective effort to increase citizen seat belt compliance and reduce injuries and deaths on our roads. The wave begins on Monday, May 23, will continue through the Memorial Day weekend and end on June 5th. “Your safety is paramount,” said Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott, “I just can’t urge driver’s enough to fasten that seat belt and make sure every occupant in the vehicle is properly secured, as well.”

Statistics reveal Florida ranked 26th in the nation for seat belt compliance in 2009, however, officials believe last year’s passage of the primary safety belt law is already showing signs of improvement. The 2010 measure allows law enforcement to pull driver’s over if they are not wearing their safety belt. Florida is now at an all time high of 87.4 percent for seat belt use. In a recent survey of 12 Florida counties, Lee County ranks second only to Collier County in compliance at 93 percent. While the improvements are notable, what remains unfortunate are the deaths attributed to the failure of motorists to be safely belted. Across the state last year, 908 fatalities occurred where seat belts were not in use, 19 of those happened in Lee County.

Motorists should know buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. Please remember:

* Air bags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them.

* Be sure the seat belt is properly positioned, never put the shoulder strap behind you or under your arm.

* Before you buy a new car, check to see that its seat belts are a good fit for you.

* Learn how to properly use and install child safety seats or boosters.

For more seat belt safety information log on to www.nhtsa.gov.