Police Ramp Up Search for Unbuckled Drivers and Passengers

Los Angeles County Sheriff's officials will begin a crackdown on unbuckled passengers and drivers starting Monday across L.A. County and the state.

The search is part of the 2011 Click It or Ticket mobilization that runs May 23 through June 5. The fines and fees for first time adult seat belt violations is a minimum of $142. For children under 16, the fine is $445 for a first time offense.

According to a press release, police will make searching at night a priority "because nighttime passenger vehicle occupants are among those least likely to buckle up and most likely to die in crashes when unrestrained."

California’s current seat belt use rate is 96.2 percent, but nearly one million people are not buckling up, according to the release.

More than 140 local law enforcement agencies statewide and the California Highway Patrol will be participating in this year’s Click It or Ticket mobilization.