The Texas Department of Transportation 2014 “Click It or Ticket” Campaign was announced today at Dallas City Hall. At 10:30 a.m., a press conference was held to kick off this 13th annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign to remind Texans about the importance of wearing seatbelts. Starting May 19th through June 1, 2014, law enforcement officers from across the state will be watching closely for seat belt violations.

The National Highway Traffic Safety estimates that since the inception, the “Click It or Ticket” campaign in Texas has resulted in 3,962 fewer traffic fatalities while preventing 66,823 serious injuries. Mr. William Hale, Dallas District Engineer for Texas Department of Transportation, addressed the media stating, “We’ve come a long way. In 2002, when the campaign started, just 76% of Texans used their seat belts.” Mr. Hale went on to say that with the strong support of law enforcement across the state and the “Click It or Ticket” reminders, 9 out of 10 Texas motorists are buckling up.

While many Texans are getting the message and have made it a habit to use their seat belts, others are not. Dallas Police Lieutenant Dale Barnard stated that DPD issued 7,843 Seatbelt and 1,519 Child Safety Seat tickets last year to people who weren’t wearing seat belts. Last year in Dallas, we saw 263 motor vehicle crashes in which people who were not wearing seat belts sustained fatal or serious injuries.

Lieutenant Barnard stated, “Wearing a seat belt likely could have prevented many of those deaths and injuries.”
Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez also addressed the importance of wearing seat belts and how it saves lives, but also the financial toll from the billions of dollars in economic costs.

The bottom line – Seat belts save lives. That alone should be reason to buckle up…not to mention that wearing a seat belt in Texas is a law for both driver and passenger. All speakers echoed Lieutenant Barnard’s final remarks, “Don’t wear your seat belt just for us. We all have love ones who want us to come home to them. Do it for them.”