The Albert Lea Police Department and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, along with more than 300 law enforcement agencies across the state, began a statewide Click It or Ticket campaign Monday that runs through Sept. 28.

Last year, 96 unbuckled motorists were killed in the state, the most since 2014, when there were 106, according to a press release.

The release stated there were 211 unbelted motor vehicle occupants who experienced life-changing injuries in 2018.

“We’ve heard the argument, ‘It should be my choice to buckle up,’” said Albert Lea police Lt. Jeff Strom. “But before you decide not to wear that belt, think of those children who didn’t have the choice to live without their mother or father. Or the spouse who will raise their children on their own. All because someone made the selfish choice to not wear their belt. You can’t choose who else is on the road with you, but you can choose to protect yourself by buckling up.”

The release stated 37% of all motor vehicle deaths involved unbelted occupants in 2018.

An unbelted motorist can crash into a windshield and get thrown into other passengers, and oftentimes an unbelted occupant is ejected from the vehicle and killed.

Minnesota law states that drivers and passengers in all seating positions must be buckled or seated in the correct child restraint.

Officers will stop and ticket unbelted drivers or passengers. Seat belts must be worn correctly — low and snug across the hips, and shoulder straps should never be tucked under an arm or behind the back, the release states.