«Click It or Ticket» Enforcement, March 24th to March 30, 2014

Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety, announces that through funding obtained by the Department of Transportation Office on Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Rhode Island State Police will be joining with state and local law enforcement agencies by participating in the «Click it or Ticket» nationwide enforcement campaign.

Starting on Monday March 24th and continuing through, and including Sunday, March 30th, drivers can expect an increased presence of troopers on all roadways.

Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes and at a tremendous cost. In 2012 speeding was a contributing factor in 47 percent of all fatal crashes in Rhode Island. Thirty (30) lives were lost in the state last year and in 2011 NHTSA reported that a total of 9,944 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes in the country.

The aim of «Click it or Ticket» is simple: to drastically reduce the number of preventable deaths and injuries that occur when unbelted drivers and passengers are involved in traffic crashes. When a person doesn’t buckle up, or require their passengers to buckle up, they are putting themselves and their passengers at risk. When a motor vehicle crash happens it is usually within five (5) miles from home, and the four (4) seconds it takes to buckle up will be time well spent. All drivers should be reminded that it’s not only about their driving skills, but also about the skills, habits and circumstances of the other drivers sharing the road with you.

Colonel O’Donnell stated, «Speed is a contributing factor in many crashes as well as fatal crashes. This program is designed to heighten the awareness that speed kills!»

The Rhode Island State Police is committed to aggressively ticket violators of seat belt and child restraint laws, and all other traffic violations – such as speeding, distracted driving and reckless driving that make our streets and highways unsafe.

Hazardous road conditions and unsafe drivers may be reported by dialing *77 (*SP) or 911 on your cellular telephone. This call is free and will connect you to the nearest Rhode Island State Police Barracks to your location.