LIHU'E – The annual "Click It or Ticket" statewide campaign began yesterday and will run throughout the entire month of May.

"We want to remind drivers about the importance of our seat belt and child passenger restraint laws and encourage the proper use of seat belts and child safety seats," said Lt. Mark Scribner of the Kaua'i Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit.

He noted that statistics have shown that using seat belts is the most effective way for motorists to protect themselves in a traffic accident.

"Last year, Kaua'i had the highest compliance rate, 98.3 percent, for seat belt usage in the state, and nationally, Hawai'i ranked the highest with 97.6 percent seat belt usage," said Scribner. "We're hoping to maintain these rates."