Pasadena Police to Step Up Seat Belt Enforcement Campaign

Pasadena police are increasing patrols to enforce seat belt laws during a campaign running from May 12 to June 1.

The annual “Click It or Ticket” initiative includes additional officers looking for drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts, including children not properly secured in safety seats.

“Wearing a seat belt should be automatic for all drivers and passengers every trip,” Pasadena Police Lieutenant Anthony Russo said. “Seat belts save lives, and everyone – front seat and back, child and adult – needs to remember always to buckle up.”

Nationally, 11,302 people killed in crashes in 2022 were not wearing seat belts. California saw 842 unrestrained traffic deaths that year, an 8.4% decrease from 2021.

California law requires children under 2 to ride in rear-facing car seats, unless they weigh 40 or more pounds or are at least 40 inches tall. All children under 8 must be secured in car seats or booster seats.

Children under 8 cannot ride in front seats unless the vehicle lacks a rear-facing seat. Children 8 and older, or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, may use booster seats but must wear properly fitted safety belts.

The police department encourages parents to keep children in appropriate safety seats as long as possible and to use the “Five-Step Test” before transitioning to regular seat belts.