Wisconsin ended 2008 with the fewest traffic fatalities in more than 60 years.  But this encouraging news is little consolation to the families and friends of more than 500 people who died in traffic crashes last year.  We know all too well that many of these deaths could have been prevented if people had simply buckled up.

To prevent needless deaths and serious injuries, the Rusk County Sheriff's Department along with law enforcement agencies from all over Wisconsin will be patrolling in greater numbers and for longer hours during the "Click It or Ticket" safety belt enforcement mobilization from May 18 to 31.

Our Click It or Ticket message is clear.  If you're stopped by a deputy and are not wearing a safety belt, you will get a ticket whether you're driving or just a passenger.  No excuses will be accepted, and you won't get a warning.

We're not striving to write more tickets, but to save lives and prevent injuries by getting people to buckle up voluntarily.  But if voluntary compliance fails, we will diligently enforce the state's mandatory safety belt law.

Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of preventable traffic deaths to zero in Wisconsin.  That's why we urge you to buckle up every time you get behind the wheel or ride in a vehicle.  It only takes a second to buckle up and avoid a ticket, or even worse, a violent death.