ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Police Department, in partnership with the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program, has launched its annual Thanksgiving “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which will run from Nov. 24-30.

The statewide campaign will “focus on promoting seat belt use and reducing preventable crash-related injuries and deaths. North Carolina law requires every occupant, both front and back seat, to wear a seat belt while a vehicle is in motion,” APD wrote in a press release.

Seat belt laws carry hefty fines in North Carolina. Driving unbuckled can result in a $180 fine, or $266 if a passenger under the age of 16 is unbuckled.

“But the real cost can be far greater; failing to buckle up remains one of the leading factors in fatal crashes,” APD warned.

According to the release, more than 40% of car crash casualties in North Carolina were driving unbuckled.

“The Asheville Police Department urges everyone traveling this Thanksgiving season to buckle up, every seat, every ride,” APD wrote.

For more information on the “Click It or Ticket” campaign, visit: www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/safety/click-ticket