Buckle up, helmet

People don't like government telling them what to do. We understand that. But sometimes it's necessary to prod people to do the right thing. That's the case with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Click It or Ticket" campaign now under way.

There's no other way to say it: Buckling up is the single most effective thing a person can do for self-protection in a crash. The use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved 12,713 lives in 2009, according to a NHTSA assessment. In the five-year period from 2005 to 2009, seat belts saved more than 72,000 lives.

About 86 percent of vehicle drivers and occupants in Connecticut use seat belts, according to the state Department of Public Safety. That leaves room for improvement.

For the next two weeks state and municipal police will be stepping up patrols to enforce the state's vehicle safety restraint law.

All front-seat passengers must buckle up and adults must secure all children with a seat belt or an approved child safety seat in the rear seats of the car.

The fine for noncompliance is $92, with the driver responsible for the children in his or her car.

The annual "Click It or Ticket" campaign is a good time for drivers to review the state's law and make sure everyone in their vehicle complies.

It's also a new chance to implore drivers and riders on motorcycles to wear helmets. State law requires motorcyclists and passengers under age 18 to wear protective headgear. The legislature should expand the law to require everyone on a motorcycle to wear a helmet. But that's not likely to happen in Connecticut anytime soon.

In the meantime, let common sense prevail. Free spirits argue against helmets, saying they are a distraction and create their own dangers. But seriously, anyone whipping along on a bike at 60 mph should protect their head.

For your own good, buckle up and wear a helmet when on a motorcycle.