Wisconsin low among neighbors in seat belt usage

Holmen chief believes click-it-or-ticket campaign helps

The number of people on the road wearing seat belts in Wisconsin was 88.5 percent, according to the Wisconsin DOT.

Neighboring states usage is in the 90-percent range. 

Holmen police chief Shane Collins is a firm believer in the state’s “click it or ticket” campaign.

“With the promotions of advertisements from DOT with the seat belt, I do believe it’s helped quite a bit to get the word out, they do save lives,” he said.

In 2015, 55,000 were convicted  for failure to wear a seat belt. The fine for not wearing is $10 for adults.

Even with the law enforcement task force consisting of multiple agencies, it’s still an issue in this area and Collins says it’s not simply the kids being caught. In fact, it may be the opposite.

“You see older people, back in the day, they never even wore a seat belt,” Collins said. “Middle-aged people, the laws weren’t so (enforced).”