Click it or Ticket Fact Sheet

Across Florida and the United States, state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation are stepping up their enforcement efforts for those not wearing seat belts. For this year’s Click It or Ticket seat belt mobilization effort, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is asking all states to participate in the Border to Border (B2B) initiative on May 24, a one-day, 4-hour national seat-belt awareness kickoff event coordinated by participating state highway safety offices and their respective law enforcement liaisons. B2B aims to increase law enforcement participation by coordinating highly visible seat belt enforcement and encouraging drivers and passengers to buckle up. They carry out this effort at heavily traveled, highly visible state border checkpoints.

Breaking Down the Numbers

• The national seat belt use rate in 2019 was 90.7%, which is good — but we can do better. The other 9.3% still need to know that seat belts save lives.
• Among young adults age 18 to 34 killed while riding in passenger vehicles in 2019, more than half (57%) were completely unrestrained — one of the highest percentages for all age groups.
• Men make up the majority of those killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes. In 2019, 65% of the 22,215 passenger vehicle occupants that they find dead are men. Statistically, men also wear their seat belts at a lower rate than women do. On average, 51% of men that pass away in crashes are without restraints, versus 40% of women who pass in crashes.

Bust the Myths

• Vehicle type: There seems to be a misconception among those who drive and ride in pickup trucks that their larger vehicles will protect them better than other vehicle types would in a crash. The numbers say otherwise: 58% of pickup truck occupants who were killed in 2019 were not buckled. That’s compared to 43% of passenger car occupants who were not wearing seat belts when they were killed. Regardless of vehicle type, seat belt use is the single most effective way to stay alive in a crash.
• Seating position: Too many people wrongly believe they are safe in the back seat unrestrained. Forty-five percent of all front-seat passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2019 were unrestrained, but 58% of those killed in back seats were unrestrained.
• Rural versus urban locations: People who live in rural areas might believe their crash exposure is lower, but in 2019, there were 11,971 passenger vehicle fatalities in rural locations, compared to 10,187 fatalities in urban locations. Out of those fatalities, 48% of those killed in the rural locations were not wearing their seat belts, compared to 45% in urban locations.

Click It or Ticket — Day and Night

• High-visibility seat belt enforcement is important 24 hours a day, but nighttime is especially deadly for unbuckled occupants. In 2019, 55% of passenger vehicle occupants killed at night (6 p.m.–5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts.
• Click It or Ticket isn’t about citations; it’s about saving lives. In 2019, the death toll hit 9,466 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants in crashes in the United States alone. To help prevent crash fatalities, we need to step up seat belt enforcement, day and night.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/click-it-or-ticket 

Your Orlando Accident Attorneys

After following these tips and educating yourself on the laws, you’re sure to enjoy your drives in Florida. Our roads offer the chance to explore the natural beauty, see loved ones, and visit attractions. Even though you may have followed our list and were aware of these precautions, accidents happen to everyone! If you do find yourself in an accident or legal issue while driving, consult with our Orlando accident attorneys as soon as possible. We provide legal advice, grant insight into issues, represent in court if needed, and ensure your rights are protected. Drive safely!

The Martindale Law Group

Our personal injury and litigation attorneys help accident victims file claims to recover damages for many types of clients. Some that we specialize in are auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, aircraft accidents, boating accidents, sexual abuse, and brain and spinal cord injuries. Additionally, we provide legal services to the residents of Florida who receive unfair treatment from their insurance companies. It does not matter whether an insurance claim has been denied, delayed, or mishandled. We help our clients obtain the insurance coverage they need to repair their property. Whether an injury by an auto accident, slip-and-fall, or some other incident due to the negligence of others, contact us today. We are more than happy to discuss your case, call now for a free case evaluation.