NHTSA Kicks Off Click It or Ticket Campaign Urging Drivers and Passengers to Always Buckle Up
Of the passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes in 2023, nearly half, 10,500, were unbelted
May 20, 2025 | Washington, DC
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today launched its annual Click It or Ticket seat belt high-visibility enforcement campaign, urging drivers and passengers to always buckle up and reminding them of the potentially deadly consequences of not wearing a seat belt.
Joining U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Steven G. Bradbury and NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser at the Department’s headquarters for today’s kickoff event were D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith and Christy King, an advocate for seat belt use.
“The number of lives we lose on the road each year is unacceptable,” Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said. “Seat belts, along with increased traffic enforcement, are our best defense to reduce these preventable tragedies. Our message is clear: click it or pay a ticket.”
“Seat belts save tens of thousands of lives every year, and they’re your best defense in a crash,” Deputy Secretary Bradbury said. “The Department is proud to stand with NHTSA and law enforcement officials nationwide in their critical effort to remind everyone about this simple and lifesaving safety measure: buckle up.”
This year’s campaign, which runs through June 1, is supported by a national media buy featuring English- and Spanish-language ads for TV, radio and digital platforms. In addition, state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide are working together during a heightened enforcement period to help keep communities safe and remind everyone of the risks associated with riding in a vehicle unbelted.
“One of the simplest and safest choices you can make when riding in a vehicle is properly wearing your seat belt,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Simshauser said. “While we’ve made steady progress over the years in seat belt use, nearly half of passenger vehicle occupants killed in a crash weren’t buckled up. With our campaign, we’re reminding everyone about the importance of wearing a seat belt — every trip, every time. This one decision could be what saves your life.”
According to NHTSA data, 49% of the passenger vehicle occupants who died in crashes in 2023 weren’t wearing a seat belt. Additionally, 42% of those killed in traffic crashes in 2023 during the day between 6 a.m. and 5:59 p.m. were unbelted, compared to 56% of those killed at night between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.
The campaign also seeks to increase seat belt use among passenger vehicle occupants ages 18-34 years old, particularly men within that age group as they are most likely to be involved in a fatal unbelted crash.
Among male passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2023, 53% were not buckled up, as compared to 41% of women.
For more information on seat belt safety, please visit NHTSA.gov/SeatBelts.