SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - State and local police are reminding Michiganders to buckle up for safety, or prepare to pay the price.

The "Click It or Ticket" campaign is going on now through Thursday, Oct. 31, with officers across metro Detroit and the state out people who aren't wearing their seat belts.

A heads up for drivers: The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said deputies will be patrolling in Rochester Hills from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

Why now? Police say October is the second deadliest month, behind only July, for fatalities of unrestrained people in a passenger vehicles in Michigan.

Some more statistics to consider (data from the NHTSA):

In 2017, 10,076 unbuckled people were killed in auto crashes across the U.S.

Almost twice as many males were killed in crashes as compared to females. Of the males killed in crashes in 2017, more than half weren't wearing a seatbelt.

In Michigan 192 people killed in traffic crashes during 2018 were not wearing a seat belt.

The seat belt usage rate in Michigan stands at 94.4%. The national seat belt use rate in 2018 was 89.6%.

We will be taking part in the Click It or Ticket campaign from October 17 through 31. DYK: 192 people were killed in traffic crashes during 2018 were not wearing a seat belt. So, please wear your seat belt, because you would be missed! pic.twitter.com/Yng9nens0B — MSP Metro Detroit (@mspmetrodet) October 15, 2019

While tickets will be issued during this campaign, police say the goal is to educate the community and reduce traffic injuries and deaths.

What is the law? Michigan law requires drivers, front seat passengers and passengers 15 and younger in any seating position to be buckled up. In Michigan, the penalty for a seat belt violation is a fine of $65.

Also important: Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4’9” tall, and children under 4 years old must be in the back seat.

Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said his department will be participating in the crackdown.

"We cannot overstate the importance of wearing a seat belt. It's the law, but more importantly, buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to limit injury or possibly lives during an accident," Barren said. "Public safety professionals respond and witness the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt."

The chief stressed that awareness is key.

"If you know a friend or a family member who does not buckle up, please ask them to change their habits," Barren said. "Help us spread this lifesaving message before any more of our loved ones are injured. Everyone, please remember to buckle up – every trip, every time."

The "Click It or Ticket" campaign is paid for with federal traffic safety funds.