Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” Campaign Ramps Up across Brunswick, Columbus, and Horry Counties

BC News – Law enforcement agencies across Brunswick, Columbus, and Horry counties will take part in the nationwide Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” campaign beginning this weekend, launching an intensive seat belt enforcement effort during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

The campaign, coordinated nationally by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and supported locally by the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program and S.C. Department of Public Safety, focuses on reducing traffic deaths by increasing seat belt compliance through checkpoints, saturation patrols, and public awareness.

🚔 What the campaign means locally

Brunswick County (NC)

• Sheriff’s deputies and local police departments will run high‑visibility checkpoints on major corridors including:
  • U.S. 17
  • N.C. 211
  • N.C. 87
• Expect nighttime enforcement, which data shows is when seat belt use drops.
• Brunswick typically sees a spike in holiday‑weekend traffic due to beach tourism.

Columbus County (NC)

• Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and Highway Patrol Troop B will conduct:
  • Roving patrols on U.S. 74/76, U.S. 701, and N.C. 410
  • Checkpoints in Chadbourn, Tabor City, and Whiteville
• Columbus has one of the highest unrestrained‑fatality rates in southeastern NC, making it a priority county for the campaign.

Horry County (SC)

• Horry County Police, Horry County Sheriff’s Office, and S.C. Highway Patrol will focus on:
  • S.C. 9
  • S.C. 31
  • U.S. 501
  • Myrtle Beach tourist corridors
• South Carolina’s enforcement period includes zero‑tolerance seat belt stops, especially for unrestrained drivers and children.

📊 Why the campaign matters

Seat belt use drops during holiday travel, and the tri‑county region has seen:

• High rates of unrestrained fatalities
• Increased nighttime crashes
• Heavy tourist traffic in Brunswick and Horry
• Rural‑road fatality patterns in Columbus

NHTSA reports that nearly 50% of people killed in crashes nationwide are unrestrained.

🕒 When enforcement happens

The campaign runs May 20 through June 2, covering:

• The full Memorial Day weekend
• Pre‑holiday travel days
• Post‑holiday return traffic

Drivers can expect checkpoints at any time, but agencies say nighttime enforcement will be emphasized.

💬 What officials are saying

Local agencies typically echo the same message:

“If you’re driving in Brunswick, Columbus, or Horry counties this weekend, buckle up. If not, expect to be stopped.”

📌 What drivers should know

• Seat belts are required for all front‑seat passengers in NC and SC
• Children must be properly restrained in age‑appropriate seats
• Violations can result in:
  • Fines
  • Court costs
  • Insurance increases