NORWICH – The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office has announced that beginning Monday, deputies, along with police from agencies all across the area, will participate in the national Click it or Ticket seat belt enforcement drive.

Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. said his office will conduct not just daytime but nighttime checks, because statistics show more fatal accidents occur during this time and many are the result of not buckling up.

“Many more nighttime deaths can be prevented if more motorists simply start wearing their seat belts. That’s why the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is strongly supporting enhanced nighttime enforcement of seat belt laws during the May 23 to June 5 campaign,” said Cutting.

The sheriff reported a 2009 national study indicated two thirds of fatalities involving unbuckled occupants occurred at night.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 11,593 passengers died in crashes nationwide between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in 2009.