The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and the Virginia Highway Safety Office have recognized the Suffolk Police Department for successful local implementation of the statewide Click It or Ticket campaign, the Suffolk News Herald recently reported.

The campaign to support seatbelt usage ran in May and July, and by the time it ended Suffolk boasted a usage level of 89 percent compared to the 81.8 percent achieved by the rest of the region, according to the city.

During the program, the department increased enforcement efforts, writing more than 300 summonses for seatbelt and child safety seat violations. Officers counted seatbelt wearers before and after the program. In addition to enforcement, efforts included educational media announcements advocating seat belt use.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, using a seatbelt reduces the likelihood of serious injury or death in a crash by about half. The CDC also states primary enforcement seatbelt laws covering driver and passengers improve safety.

The Click It or Ticket program is used in nearly 20 states, and has increased seatbelt usage by drivers and passengers by as much as 10 percent in some cases, according to officials.

See our video outlining the Click It or Ticket program: