From Monday through March 7, the Hays Police Department will join other Kansas law enforcement agencies in focusing on teen seat belt enforcement.

Officers will be extra-vigilant when patrolling around schools. In 2013, 31 teens lost their lives and 240 were seriously injured due to car crashes in Kansas — 74 percent of those teens were not properly restrained.

Officers will issue citations to any individuals who refuse to obey the traffic laws, whether it is for speeding, texting or failing to buckle up.

The HPD reminds motorists to slow down, put the phone away or turn it off, and always buckle up.