Local law enforcement is heading back to school – to encourage students to buckle up.

Saline County Sheriff’s Office Prevention Deputy Scott Trembly tells KSAL News that beginning next week deputies will be extra vigilant when patrolling around schools. “We’ll be looking for those occupants who are not wearing seatbelts,” he said.

Beginning Monday, February 24th and continuing through March 7th, The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is joining other Kansas Law Enforcement in issuing citations to anyone who is not properly buckled up.

Deputy Trembly stopped by the KSAL Morning New on Thursday with a look at some striking numbers. “Last year in Kansas, 31 teenagers were killed and 240 were seriously injured due to car crashes,” he said.

“Seventy-four percent of those teens were not properly restrained.”

A program dubbed S.A.F.E. (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) is aimed at changing awareness and saving lives. “All the safety measures in today’s cars like air bags won’t save you if you are thrown out of the vehicle in a crash,” Trembly said.

Trembly noted that through education about seatbelt safety, three area schools had increased usage during the school year by as much as 11-percent.

Tickets issued to 18-year-olds and up are $10 while those cited who are 14 to 18-years of age will see a $60 fine with court costs.

The S.A.F.E. program, which is a partnership between students law enforcement and safety advocates, now includes 36 Counties and 87 schools around Kansas.