‘Click It or Ticket’ Season Arrives in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin

You're in a rush. The kids are late to school, the cat just horked-up breakfast, and you have a million things on your mind. So, everyone hurries to the vehicle, and you're on your way. That is, until some flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror remind you of something you've forgotten. Buckle up or pay up.

From May 16th through May 27th, law enforcement agencies across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin are teaming up for the nationwide "Click It or Ticket" campaign. It’s timed to catch drivers during the busy Memorial Day travel season, and yes, they mean business.

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I mean, by now, wearing a seat belt should be automatic. Has it NOT become common sense at this point? And it’s not just about dodging a fine. It’s about staying alive. Law enforcement across the region is working together to make sure everyone gets the message loud and clear: buckle up, every time, no excuses.

In case you missed the last 40 years, Illinois made seat belts mandatory in 1985. Iowa in 1986, and Wisconsin followed suit in 1989. Since then, laws have only gotten tougher, and seatbelts are now considered a primary enforcement issue. That’s not just a scare tactic. According to the Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office, it’s helped drive seat belt use up to 92.4% in Illinois as of 2024. Still, that leaves a stubborn 7.6% thinking they're invincible. Spoiler alert: you're not.

By the way, if you're curious what the tickets might run you or if you're breaking the rules, check it out:

• Iowa:  All ages in front seats must wear a belt, and anyone under 18 in the rear seats. Tickets will run you from $25 all the way up to $127.50.
• Illinois: All ages in all seats must be belted at all times. Tickets start at a minimum $164.
• Wisconsin: All ages in all seats must wear a belt. Additionally, anyone over eight years old must be placed in a seat with a functioning belt. The fine? $10.

The Stats Don’t Lie, But Some Drivers Do

According to the Jo Daviess County Sheriff's news release, 2023 crash data showed that 72% of men killed in nighttime vehicle crashes across Illinois weren’t wearing seat belts. Compare that to 28% of women. Guys. Seriously?!

Nighttime is a major focus this year because that’s when most unbelted fatalities happen. So yes, whether it's 10 AM or 10 PM, expect a no-excuses approach from officers. No seat belt? No warning. Just a ticket.

Look, nobody enjoys getting pulled over, and nobody wants to get hurt, or worse. Buckling up takes two literal seconds. It doesn’t mess up your outfit. It doesn’t cost you a dime. And, it might just save your life. So why risk a ticket, a trip to the ER, or a preventable tragedy? Seat belts. Use them. It’s not that hard. And if you're still refusing... are you just dumb?