Washington troopers looking for unbuckled seat belts

If you’re hitting the road for Memorial Day weekend, make sure you buckle your seat belt or you could be having a discussion with a state trooper. And it could cost you $136.

Washington State Patrol have had extra troopers out on the state’s highways since Monday as part of the nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign aimed at getting drivers and passengers to use their seat belts. The increased patrols continue through June 5.

A state report indicated that 95 percent of Washington drivers used their seat belts in 2015. That’s above the national average of 89 percent.

But many people believe they will be safer if ejected from a vehicle in a crash. Authorities say most people ejected during collisions die and that about 100 people not using seat belts die each year in crashes in Washington.

“The few seconds it takes to buckle up can mean the difference between life and death,” said state patrol Chief John Batiste.

This story was originally published May 25, 2016 at 1:51 PM with the headline "Washington troopers looking for unbuckled seat belts."