“If it had not been for the seat belt, I could’ve gotten a concussion easily,” he said.

After that incident, Weiner fully realized the importance of buckling up, and he isn’t the only one.

As part of a national effort, Michigan police officers have launched the Click It or Ticket campaign this week from May 21 through June 3 to increase safety awareness and enforce seat belt usage.

Anne Readett, communications manager of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, said Michigan has one of the highest percentages of seat belt usage in the country.

In 2009, the percentage of safety belt use peaked at about 98 percent, but dropped slightly to 94.5 percent last year, and Readett said the goal is to return to former numbers.

“We did it before, so we know it’s certainly something that can be done again,” she said. “Our ultimate goal is the high belt usage, which we know is closely aligned with both reducing fatalities and serious injuries.”

According to Michigan State Police, police posts in 55 of Michigan’s 83 counties will make safety belt enforcement a priority in this year’s two-week Click It or Ticket campaign.

MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said the campus is participating, but the campaign isn’t aimed directly at students.

“It’s for anybody on campus,” she said. “It helps to save lives, and it’s educational awareness … in terms of reminding people to buckle up.”

McGlothian-Taylor said the campaign runs in the spring because of the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, during which more drivers will be on the road.

About 26 counties in Michigan will be participating in extra enforcement, Readett said.

Federal traffic safety funds will pay for extra officers on the road to ensure original officers are not redirected from their usual duties.

The counties will create safety belt enforcement zones marked with portable signs in specific areas. One officer will serve as a spotter, and two or more patrol offices will stop any unbuckled drivers.