Law enforcement around the state are teaming up in the Buckle Up in your Truck campaign to make sure pickup truck drivers are wearing their seatbelts.

Starting today and lasting until next Thursday, expect to see an abundance of police officers looking for passengers in pickup trucks that are not buckled up.

“Basically what we’re doing is reminding people that it doesn’t matter what vehicle you’re in, be it a car, an SUV, or a pickup truck, we want you to wear that seatbelt at all times,” said State Police Sergeant Jared Sandifer.

According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, pickup trucks account for 25 percent of vehicles on the road. Sandifer says for some reason they see less seatbelt compliance in pickup trucks than other vehicles. He says some drivers may feel safer in a big vehicle, but they’re not.

“Pickup trucks are just as susceptible as any other vehicle to being involved in crashes, and people can still get seriously injured or even killed in those pickup trucks,” Sandifer said.

Pickup trucks are twice as likely to roll over in a crash, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. Sandifer reminds the public that it’s not just the driver who has to buckle up.

“Lot of times these days we see extended cab pickup trucks, and they have seatbelts in the back too. We just want to remind people that even if you’re sitting in the backseat of that pickup truck, you still have to wear that seatbelt,” Sandifer said.

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