Make sure you're buckled up. That's the message from Erie Police as they kick of an enforcement initiative this week.

The department is partnering with PennDOT for the national seat belt enforcement initiative.

Officers will be out from Monday, May 13, through June 2nd for the Click It or Ticket initiative.

The goal is to reduce unbelted injuries and deaths on Pennsylvania roads through this coordinated enforcement.

According to PennDOT, there were 14,309 unrestrained crashes that resulted in 378 fatalities in 2017.

Erie police are joining 350 other municipal agencies, across the state, that will be enforcing seat belt use over the next three weeks.

PennDOT reminds motorists that drivers and front-seat passengers 18-years-old or older are required to buckle up, and children under the age of 4 must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat.