Dozens of Maine police departments will begin a two-week effort starting Monday enforcing the state’s seatbelt laws. Coordinated by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, the effort is part of the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign, involving police departments across the country.

The kickoff for the Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts efforts will take place at the Kittery Welcome Center along Interstate 95 in Kittery at 1 p.m. Monday. Representatives from the three states will discuss their enforcement efforts.

The Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign will run from Monday to June 5.

“As we kick off the busy summer driving season, it is critical that everyone buckles up day and night – no excuses,” said Maine Highway Safety Bureau Director Lauren Stewart in a written statement.

“Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seatbelt, including drivers that have neglected to properly buckle their children,” she said.

Stewart said more than half of the 156 people killed in motor vehicle crashes last year in Maine were not buckled up. That compares to a 85 percent seatbelt compliance rate for the majority of drivers in the state.

“The numbers suggest the obvious – seatbelts save lives,” Stewart said.

“Seatbelts save thousands of lives across the country every year, but far too many motorists are not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater,” he said. “Buckling up is not optional; it’s the difference between life and death in a crash. That’s why we’re enforcing the law. Click it or Ticket, day or night.”