In an effort to combat the disturbing rise in teen fatalities on Texas roads, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is driving home the importance of seat belt use through its Teen Click It or Ticket campaign. The initiative comes as the state observes an alarming 6% increase in the number of teenagers not wearing their seat belts during crashes from 2022 to 2023, according to a TxDOT release. In a sober statistic, nearly half of the 296 teens who lost their lives in traffic incidents last year were unrestrained at the time of their accident.
"These fatalities serve as a sobering wake-up call," said TxDOT Executive Director Marc D. Williams, expressing concern over the gamble teens take by not securing themselves in vehicles. Indeed, seat belts stand as a simple yet vital barrier against the worst outcomes on the road—their few seconds of effort yields the best chance for survival in a crash. Yet, this simple act of self-preservation is being neglected by a startling percentage of Texas youth, as noted in the TxDOT statement.
The campaign is putting rubber to asphalt and heading to various educational institutions with the lowest rates of teen seat belt usage, spanning Jan. 30 - Feb. 15. Destinations include San Antonio's Palo Alto Community College and Houston's Community College-Felix Fraga Academic Campus, amongst others. Hoping to make an impact, the tour features a stark visual— a trailer bearing the wreckage from a truck crash. This grim reminder tells the fortunate tale of two teenagers who sustained only minor injuries during an accident because they were buckled up. An additional vehicle equipped with safety information screens complements the traveling exhibition, reinforcing the campaign's lifesaving message.
It's not just about making the smart choice; the law backs up the necessity for safety. In Texas, all vehicle occupants, including those lounging in the backseat, risk fines and fees up to $200 for eschewing their seat belts. The stakes rise beyond monetary penalties; it’s the safety and lives of young individuals at play, a point the campaign stresses to parents, schools, and communities. Echoing the sentiment, TxDOT encourages role modeling behavior, as teens are more likely to buckle up when they see adults doing the same. This call to action integrates into #EndTheStreakTX, a movement pushing for an end to the daily loss of life on Texas roads, a curse unbroken since Nov. 7, 2000.
For concerned parties seeking more information on the Teen Click It or Ticket initiative, TxDOT's Media Relations is open for inquiries at [email protected] or by phone at 512-463-8700. With each teen life hanging in the balance, the click of a seat belt can be the sound of a future secured.
