Oakland police will be out March 12 scouring the area for unbelted drivers and passengers, especially teenagers, to remind city residents to "Click it or Ticket."

Teen belt usage lags behind adults, and youth are involved in a disproportionate number of crashes, according to police.

In 2008, about 1,400 people who weren't wearing seat belts died in vehicle crashes in California, according to police. About half of these people might have survived had they been buckled in, according to officials.

About 95 percent of Californians wear their belts, police said, but that leaves more than 1 millon people who don't.

Oakland police officers will be out "at all hours" during the campaign to make sure everyone is buckled in. 

An adult seat belt violation costs $132. This can skyrocket up to $435 for not properly restraining a child under 16.

Funding for this operation supporting California’s "Click It or Ticket" campaign was provided by a grant from the state Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

About Emilie Raguso

Emilie Raguso is a multimedia reporter in Oakland who focuses on issues of criminal justice, food and Oakland culture. She is passionate about social media, documentary photography and sustainable living. Her work has appeared on Salon and NPR, as well as in The Modesto Bee, Greater Good magazine and the East Bay Express. Write her at eraguso@gmail.com, follow her on Twitter (@emraguso) and see more of her work at http://raguso.us.