(KNZA)--Beginning Monday ( February 25), several area law enforcement agencies will be increasing their enforcement efforts near high schools to raise awareness on roadway safety.

Its part of the annual “ High Visibility Seat Belt Enforcement Campaign”, which runs through March 8.

The Kansas Highway Patrol, Hiawatha Police Department and  Horton Police Department are among area law enforcement agencies taking part in the campaign.

Officers will be issuing citations to any individual who refuses to obey the traffic laws, whether it is for speeding, texting or failing to buckle up.

According to a news release, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States---ahead of all types of injury, disease or violence.

In 2018, nearly half of all Kansas teens who died in traffic crashes were not wearing a seat belt.