Buckle up! Starting Thursday, Feb. 7, and running through Labor Day, the WVU Department of Public Safety will participate in a state-wide seatbelt safety awareness program Click it or Ticket, aimed at improving seatbelt use in West Virginia.

WVU officers will coordinate periodic checkpoints throughout campus to inform the public of seatbelt safety and record the percentage of drivers and passengers wearing seatbelts. Those detachments recording the most improvement will receive a cash reward that will be used to purchase much needed equipment.

“The purpose is not to write tickets, but to issue warnings just so that the university community will be aware of the safety issue,”said campus DPS officer Peggy Runyun.

According to the National Safety Council, West Virginia received a failing grade when it came to seatbelt use because of weak seat belt laws preventing officers from ticketing unbelted drivers.

The Click it or Ticket Program has proven to significantly raise seatbelt use and reduce fatalities in Florida, North Carolina and several other states.

DPS also plans to hold child safety seat demonstrations and educate area children in safety belt use.

National Child Passenger Safety week is Feb. 10-16.