U.S. Department of Transportation’s 'Click It or Ticket' Campaign Reminds Motorists to Buckle Up on Every Trip

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
May 19, 2014

NHTSA 12-14
Monday, May 19, 2014
Contact: Nathan Naylor, 202-366-9550, Public.Affairs@dot.gov

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation launched its 2014 "Click It or Ticket" seat belt high visibility enforcement effort today and reminded motorists to wear seat belts on every trip, day or night.

"We know seat belts save lives and while we're encouraged that national seat belt use is at an all-time high, we won't stop our efforts until all motorists make the simple yet safe choice to buckle up on every trip," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "If you're not buckled up, you'll be ticketed. The ‘Click It or Ticket' campaign delivers that message loud and clear."

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data show that the use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 12,174 lives in 2012. Seat belts have saved nearly 63,000 lives during the 5-year-period from 2008 to 2012.

Nationwide seat belt use was at a record high of 87 percent in 2013. However, nighttime seat belt use continues to lag behind daytime usage. More motorists who are killed in crashes at night are unrestrained at the time of the crashes (61 percent) than those killed in crashes during the day (43 percent).

Approximately 10,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide will participate in the "Click It or Ticket" mobilization from May 19 through June 1. This year's campaign includes the "Fake-A-Rooney" advertisement that airs nationally through May 26. The advertisement conveys the message that driving without a seat belt is not a joking matter, and officers take seat belt violations seriously and will issue a ticket if you're caught without being buckled.

"Our law enforcement partners across the country will be out in force ticketing motorists who are not wearing their seat belts," said NHTSA Acting Administrator David Friedman. "‘Click It or Ticket' is an example of how the combination of sound laws, extensive public outreach and strict, high visibility enforcement can work together to save lives on our roads."

NHTSA's May 2014 Safety 1n Num3ers on occupant protection
NHTSA's "Seat Belt Use in 2013 Use Rates in the States and Territories" report
NHTSA's "Fake-A-Rooney" advertisement, information on "Click It or Ticket" campaign

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