Highland Park Department of Public Safety will participate in the Texas Department of Transportation’s 13th annual "Click It or Ticket" campaign, a statewide time period of increased seat belt enforcement from  May 19 to June 1. The annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign aims to increase awareness of motorist safety when combined with seat belt use for both drivers and passengers. Motorists who fail to buckle up in compliance with state seat belt laws may face fines and court fees of up to $200.00. In 2013 alone, there were 943 fatalities and 5,383 serious injuries in Texas resulting from crashes in which drivers or passengers were not wearing seat belts.  

"Seat belts save lives," said John Barton, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) deputy executive director. "That’s a fact. Buckling up will keep you from getting a ticket, and more importantly, it could save your life. Whether you’re the driver or a passenger, everyone in the vehicle is required by law to wear a seat belt for every trip. The cost of not using one just isn’t worth it." 

Seat belt use by drivers and passengers increase the chances of surviving a serious crash by 45 percent. The National Highway Traffic Safety estimates that since its inception, the "Click It or Ticket" campaign in Texas has resulted in 3,962 fewer traffic fatalities while preventing 66,823 serious injuries and saving more than $15 billion in related economic costs. Texas law requires everyone in a vehicle to be buckled up, including back seat passengers. By motivating drivers and passengers to wear their seatbelt, the “Click It or Ticket” campaign targets a reduction in the number of serious injuries and fatalities for vehicle occupants who fail to buckle up. 

Learn more about the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Click It or Ticket” by visiting Texas Click It Or Ticket.