Pennsylvania motorists deserve praise for their increased use of seat belts, as reflected by the state Department of Transportation's announcement on Monday that use of the restraining devices has increased to 81.8 percent this year, up from 78.9 percent in 2003. PennDOT determined the new figure by observing front-seat occupants on interstate highways and other roads during commuting and non-commuting periods and weekends over a two-week period in June.

Apparently sign reminders such as "Buckle Up Next Million Miles" and efforts by groups and agencies such as the Comprehensive Highway Safety Coordinators, PA SAFE KIDS Coalition, Pennsylvania AAA Federation and state Department of Health - in addition to PennDOT - are achieving sought-after positive results. But no doubt the increased seat-belt use also is attributable to the state's participation, along with 46 other states, in the "Click It or Ticket. Two Fines. Two Tickets." campaign.

The program's message is, if a driver is stopped and cited for an offense and is found to be unbuckled, he or she may receive an additional citation for violating the seat-belt law. Failure to comply with the seat-belt law can result in a $60 penalty that includes a fine and other costs.

It's an expensive price to pay for ignoring something so simple, yet such an asset in terms of saving lives.

PennDOT estimates that with every percentage point increase in seat-belt usage, eight to 12 lives will be saved. In 2003, 626 unbuckled fatalities occurred on Pennsylvania highways.

Pennsylvania law requires all front-seat passengers to be buckled up. That 18.2 percent of the drivers and front-seat passengers forget to buckle up or ignore this common-sense law remains troubling despite the good news.