The statewide safety belt crackdown has begun in your community. Starting November 16, Georgia motorists should expect high visibility enforcement during the Thanksgiving Travel Period:

·Concentrated patrols will check for seat belt violators on interstate highways by day.

·Seat belt road checks will be on the lookout for safety belt violators on state and county roads at night.

And this year, law enforcement agents are increasing the countermeasures. The Governor's Office of Highway Safety has launched its traditional "Click It or Ticket" enforcement campaign at the same time as our "Rural Roads" seat belt crackdown.

This dual enforcement strategy is designed to reduce high-fatality crashcounts during the deadly Thanksgiving Travel Period. Georgians encountered 3,815 crashes as they drove during the November holiday last year. And the stats still show too many people dying in those crashes because they didn't buckle-up.

Traffic tragedies never miss a holiday. Nineteen Georgians died during just 102 hours on the road last Thanksgiving. Another 1,457 were injured. So during this crackdown, motorists all across the state are reminded that "GEORGIA IS BUCKLE-UP COUNTRY."

Whether it's across town or across country, day or night, interstates or rural roads, everyone should buckle-up and look for safety belt road checks throughout Georgia. Check with your local law enforcement for scheduled enforcement activities through November 29.