Click It or Ticket Kickoff Event

Good morning, and thank you for joining me as we kick off this year’s Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign.

Seat belts save lives – it’s that simple.

But your seat belt can only save your life if you’re wearing it. More than 11,000 people killed in crashes in 2022 weren’t wearing their seat belts.

That’s why we’re joining with law enforcement agencies nationwide to launch this year’s Click It or Ticket campaign, with a special focus on rural areas and nighttime use.

And we have new data that show why we’re focusing on these areas. We’re seeing a disturbing trend of people choosing not to wear their seat belts at night. In 2022, 57 percent of occupants killed in crashes were unrestrained – 14 percent more than during the day. And more occupants killed in rural traffic crashes at night were unbuckled, as compared to those in urban areas.

We also see trends in the types of vehicles where people are less likely to be buckled up in a fatal crash. Pickup trucks – very common in rural areas – have the highest rate of unbuckled drivers and passengers. In 2022, 61 percent of drivers killed in pickups were unrestrained, as compared to 46 percent of passenger car drivers.

So, no matter where you live, what you drive, or what time of day it is – please, buckle up for every trip, every time.

Advertising for our Click It or Ticket campaign started Monday and will run through June 2, reminding drivers and passengers to always buckle up. Our $11.2 million public awareness campaign includes TV, radio, digital and social media ads in both English and Spanish.

In addition to rural areas and nighttime, we are also focusing on passenger vehicle occupants 18 to 34 years old. We’re especially looking to reach men in that age group, as they are most likely to be involved in a fatal unbelted crash.

We are also partnering with state and local law enforcement agencies to help spread this lifesaving message. From May 20 to June 2, officers will be out on the roads, reminding drivers of the importance of wearing a seat belt and of local seat belt laws.

And we expect them to conduct all of their activities in support of this campaign in a fair and equitable manner. After all, the goal is to save lives and prevent unthinkable tragedies.

No matter where you’re going, where you live, or how short or long your trip will be – the seat belt is the best tool you have to protect yourself in a crash.

So please, remember: Click It or Ticket. The consequences of not wearing your seat belt could be a ticket – or it could be your life.