LANSING - If you haven't "clicked it" while driving on Michigan roads in the past 15 years, you may have been stopped by an officer with a hefty fine waiting. Since 2000 the Michigan State Police have instituted the penalty for drivers operating their cars without a seatbelt.

15 years later, the officers are stepping up the iconic message again just in time for Memorial Day Weekend. For the first time, seatbelt enforcement zones will be in effect in all 83 counties across Michigan.

"To help promote seat belt use, law enforcement officers will conduct dedicated seat belt enforcement in every corner of the state," said Michael L. Prince of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.

According to Prince and the Michigan Transportation Research Institute, approximately 2,569 lives were saved over the past 15 years due to the crackdown. The MTRI believes that for every one percent increase in belt use results in approximately 10 fewer traffic deaths and 130 fewer injuries.

With the extended weekend coming up, there's no better time for the enforcement zones to be in effect. Last Memorial day weekend, 20 people were killed in traffic crashes. The 2014 enforcement week saw nearly 8,000 people receive citations for unused seatbelt.

According to the MSP:

-Michigan law requires drivers, front seat passengers and passengers 15 and younger in any seating position to be buckled up.
-Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4'9" tall
-Children under 4 years old must be in the back seat.

Failure to follow these simple rules can result up to a $65 ticket.

For those who are choosing not to travel this holiday weekend, Meridian Township offices will be closed along with many others, but the Township will be hosting their annual Memorial Day Service honoring those who served on Monday, May 25th at the Glendale Cemetery, off Mt. Hope Road in Okemos beginning at noon.