The Kootenai County Sheriff's department is stepping up its game to make sure drivers are clicking their seat belts.

The department announced it will be conducting emphasis traffic patrols at various locations throughout the county from Tuesday through Feb. 20. Patrols will be focusing on moving violations and enforcing seat belt requirements.

Driving or riding in a vehicle without a seat belt or safety restraint is illegal in Idaho, but it is not a primary offense.

While a law enforcement officer can issue a ticket solely for a safety restraint violation, Idaho law requires that there must be another violation leading to the traffic stop.

The beefed up seat belt patrols are being sponsored by the Idaho Department of Transportation.

Here are some statistics from the sheriff's department:

• In 2009, 85 Idahoans killed in car crashes were not wearing their safety restraints. In addition, 305 unbelted Idahoans were critically injured in traffic crashes. Also in 2009, 78 percent of occupants killed in DUI crashes were not buckled up, and 63 percent of those killed in speed-related crashes were not buckled up. 

•  Seat belt use reduces fatalities by 74 percent in rollover crashes involving passenger cars and by 80 percent in rollover crashes involving light trucks.

• When used properly, the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration agency estimates that seat belts (lap/shoulder belts) reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate-to-severe injury by 50 percent.  Seat belts are even more effective for light truck occupants, reducing the fatality risk by 60 percent and the moderate-to-serious injury risk by 65 percent.

• In fatal crashes in 2008, 77 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who were thrown from their vehicles were killed. However, only 1 percent of crash victims who were buckled up were totally ejected from their vehicles, compared to 30 percent of those who were unbuckled.