Seat Belts SAVE Lives.
No matter what type of vehicle you drive, the safest choice drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up. Your seat belt doesn’t just protect you in a crash. It could save you from a ticket, too!
As you head out around the 2024 Memorial Day holiday, you’ll likely see more law enforcement on the roads as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Click It or Ticket campaign.
On May 20, 2024, seat belt enforcement mobilization will commence nationwide and Click It or Ticket will serve to remind drivers and their passengers of the importance of buckling up and the legal consequences–including fines–if they do not comply with wearing seat belts.
Click It. Don’t Risk It!
Learn more & share How to Buckle Up the Right Way >>
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Motor vehicle crashes are a public health concern both in the United States and abroad. In the United States, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death, and kill over 100 people every day. However, motor vehicle crash injuries and deaths are preventable. There are proven strategies that can help prevent these injuries and deaths.
Whether you are a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian, you can take steps to stay safe on the road:
• Buckle Up! Ensure that the driver and all passengers are properly seat belted before driving.
• Focus on driving and the road: Ignore distractions while driving, such as the use of a hand-held cell phone or watching videos while driving.
• Follow posted speed limits: Slow down as necessary in adverse weather and around vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
• Increase following distance: Especially in adverse weather or low light conditions.
• Always choose to drive sober!
Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Washington State Patrol (WSP), and Target Zero.
Motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers kill one person every 45 minutes in the United States. That’s 32 people every day.
Encouraging drivers to make wise choices on the road is crucial, especially with the increase in fatal accidents across Washington State in recent years. According to early data from the Washington State Traffic Commission (WTSC), there have been nearly as many fatal accidents up to September 2023 (578) as there were during the same period in 2022 (582), which marked a 32-year peak in fatal accidents across Washington State.
In Washington State:
Across Our Nation:
The U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) work to eliminate risky driving behaviors and improve roadway safety for everyone.
Learn more about Risky Driving Behaviors&Roadway Safety >>
Source: Target Zero, CDC, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), Washington State Traffic Commission (WTSC), U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Share these impaired driving messages on social media using the hashtag #ThinkBeforeYouDrive:
The Big Game
Just like the pros game plan, if your sporting event “watch party” involves alcohol, you need your own sober and safe ride home! Make a game plan.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) wants to stress the importance of having a plan to insure that only those who are sober get behind the wheel on Superbowl Sunday, and every other day of the year! Celebrate responsibly and enjoy The Big Game.
Home for the Holidays: Be Proactive & Road-Ready
The Home for the Holidays traffic safety campaign is a collaborative effort between the Washington State Patrol (WSP), Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), and allied law enforcement agencies across the state focused on encouraging drivers to take extra precautions in adverse weather conditions often seen during the fall and winter months.
This annual campaign spans from the end of October through New Year’s Eve. Historically, the WSP observes an increase in all collision types during this time frame, as well as an increase in impaired drivers on our roadways.
Encouraging drivers to make good choices behind the wheel is especially important considering the rise in fatality collisions across Washington state over the past several years.
Source: Washington State Patrol and Target Zero
Distracted Driving has become a deadly epidemic on America’s roadways. Each day, we all face dangerous risks. When you’re behind the wheel your only job is to drive. Commit to distraction-free driving today!
Learn more, spread the word & Take the Pledge >>
BoosterSeat.org offers tips for choosing the right car seat or booster seat, following Washington’s booster seat laws, and accessing local and national resources.
Visit our Digital Resource Center to learn more about Motor Vehicle Safety and Distracted Driving Awareness — plus, more injury and violence prevention topics year-round!
