The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police are combining forces to put into motion the largest nighttime safety belt enforcement campaign in state history.

During the Memorial Day “Click it or Ticket” mobilization, the IPOD and ISD will work with more than 300 local police agencies to set up 3,600 safety belt enforcement zones. Nearly 700 of these zones will be planned for after dark.

Surveys show more drivers fail to use a seat belt after the sun goes down. In 2005, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration determined that nearly 60 percent of all motorists killed during the night were unbelted.

“Memorial Day marks the beginning of the busy summer holiday traveling season and reminds travelers that the single most important way to protect yourself and your family is by buckling up,” acting IDOT secretary Milton Sees said in a press release.

Since Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich signed the safety belt law in 2003, there has been a 12 percent increase in belt usage, coinciding with a decline in motor vehicle-related fatalities, Sees said.

According to the press release from IDOT, the state had the lowest number of deaths on Illinois roadways (1,254) since 1924 (1,065). With the low fatality numbers also comes an increase in belt usage, up from 76 percent in 2003 to 88 percent in 2006.

The campaign began Tuesday night at 8 p.m. and will continue throughout the weekend.

“Our officers will be placing special emphasis on both residential and rural roadways,” ISP Director Larry Trent said in the release. “Whether running an errand during the day or driving at night on an expressway or interstate, motorists are at equal risk of being involved in a traffic crash.

“No matter the destination, always wear your safety belt. We won’t compromise our efforts to save lives.”