Click It or Ticket campaign has one simple goal: saving lives

Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the unofficial beginning of summer.  And soon, by the millions, our families, friends, and neighbors will hit the road for a vacation across the country or a barbecue across town.

As we do every year, DOT is supporting nationwide Click-it-or-Ticket enforcement efforts this week for a simple reason: seat belts help save lives.

This morning, I was pleased to join National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland and Chief James Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department to officially launch the 2011 “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign.  I am particularly grateful to the officers from area law enforcement agencies for coming down to DOT headquarters on their own time to show their support for this campaign.

All photos courtesy Julie Fischer McCarter, DOT

Through June 5, 10,000 police departments coast-to-coast will be out in force writing tickets if you’re not wearing a seat belt.  Their message is simple: If you’re not buckled up, they will ticket you--every single time they catch you driving or riding unbelted in your car.

But, as Chief Johnson and Administrator Strickland both said, this campaign is not about writing tickets.  It's about saving lives.

The Click-It-Or-Ticket stunt team was out with a strong visual reminder of enforcement efforts

Because of tough laws, consistent enforcement, and growing public awareness, we’ve made significant progress in getting more people to buckle up.  With 85 percent of Americans clicking their seat belts in place when they get in the car, seat belt use has become the norm, not the exception.

Yet, amazingly, some 45 million Americans still won’t buckle up. Our friends and neighbors are still dying unnecessarily.

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland

Now, when you put together the fact that only 15 percent of Americans don't buckle up, yet 53 percent of all fatal crash victims in 2009 were unbuckled, you can see how over-represented the unbuckled are in our most tragic crash statistics.

Young people–especially men–are particularly at risk.  In fact, 58 percent of men who died in a traffic crash in 2009 weren’t wearing their seat belt.  That's why we're making a concerted effort to reach young drivers and encourage them to change their behavior.

The use of seat belts is also particularly limited among African Americans and Latinos.  In fact, more than half of all African American children who die in traffic accidents were unrestrained, the highest percentage among any race or ethnicity.

That’s why DOT is working with the Department of Health and Human Services National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities.

Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson

Wearing your seat belt takes a second and costs you nothing.  Not wearing one may cost you everything.

This holiday weekend and every time you get in the car, put safety first.  That means buckling up, turning off your cell phone, and and putting it in the glove box. And remember, if you're over the limit, you're under arrest.

Comments

[David S. McQueen]

It would be very simple for manufacturers to wire the seat belt so that the ignition would not function until the seat belt is engaged. Nobody is suggesting that system be required, though. It is, in fact, about writing tickets (i.e., revenue for the state and local jurisdictions).

[Ford North Hollywood]

Clicking the seat belt is the first thing I do when I get inside my car. I think this is a great campaign; I find it strange though that most people would click it "just because they don't want a ticket". Personally I click it because I don't want to be ejected from the car in case I get a serious accident; my motivation is to save my life, not to save $50 or $100 or whatever it is for not buckling up.

[KokoArena]

The "Seat Belt" is a good place to start with when it comes to saving lives on the road and am glad that this campaign is being organized in such a good time, I also hope that more and more people will change their attitude and fasten their seat belts...

[Christine B]

I hate the Click It or Ticket campaign. It doesn't make sense to advertise the days or locations where people are being watched. In my area, it's in the same area every year.

If you really want to make sure people are using their seat belts, don't tell them when or where you are checking.

Also, what about speeding? Can we pull some people over for speeding on the freeway? I'm more concerned with people whose driving puts others (speeding) in danger than those who put themselves (seat belts) in danger.

[Steve Jervis]

Those statistics really are convincing of the safety benefit of wearing a seat belt and the awfully dangerous risk of not wearing one. I do hope that message comes across to people - that not buckling up can cost so much more than a ticket - it can cost everything.

[Afrika]

Now, the Click it or ticket campaign is here...why do you have to wait to get a ticket? even after launching the campaign publicly the police has no excuse not to ticket you if you don't have a beat belt. Come on America, this is for us (our safety)

[Cincinnati Subaru]

The public awareness is increasing with the promotional television advertisements. In combination with the "Click it or ticket it, day and night" displayed across the highways. The campaign has definitely been getting more people to buckle up and drive safely.

[Dyan Anderson]

The campaign click it or ticket is great but I am ready for the
No cell or I will tell
campaign
Lets get the word out!

[Michael E. Bailey]

Click It Or Tickit will save many lives on the roads, night enforcement of seat belt laws will be of special importance since fewer people use seat belts at night than during the day. But everyone should buckle up as soon as they get in the car. This initiative comes at a good time too. The start of the UN Decade to End Road Deaths. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[JOHN YOUNG]

WHY ARE WE WASTING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON CLICK IT OR TICKET?????????????????? THE INSURANCE COMPANIES GET A LAW PAST BY PAYING OFF Ray LaHood AND THE TAX PAYERS HAVE TO FUND THE CAMPAIN !!!