MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — The Moncks Corner Police Department is launching a heightened seat belt enforcement effort to encourage drivers and passengers to buckle up—every trip, every time.
In a recent social media post, the department reminded residents that seat belts remain the most effective way to prevent death and serious injury in a crash.
The initiative is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign. This nationwide high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort, timed around the busy Memorial Day travel period, runs from May 19 through June 1, 2025.
“Half of all crash fatalities involve unrestrained passengers—don’t take the risk!” MCPD warned.
In South Carolina, if you’re caught without a seat belt in a moving car by law enforcement, you could face a $25 fine for a first-time offense.
According to the NHTSA, nearly 50% of all people killed in car crashes in 2022 were not wearing seat belts at the time of the collision. In fact, the NHTSA estimates that seat belts saved nearly 15,000 lives in 2017 alone, and an additional 2,500 lives could have been saved if everyone had buckled up.
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“Seat belts are your best defense against distracted, impaired, and aggressive drivers,” MCPD’s post stated, while also providing a heads up that no warnings will be given during this enforcement period—only citations.
The message is clear: airbags aren’t enough. Buckling up greatly reduces the risk of fatal injury, especially in combination with other safety features.
As MCPD officers ramp up patrols, they’re urging drivers and passengers to make seat belt use automatic and to remind loved ones to do the same.
