TxDOT Shows Teens Deadly Reality of Not Buckling Up

AUSTIN, TX – Nearly half of Texas teens killed in vehicle crashes in 2018 were not wearing a seat belt. Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of deaths among teenagers, but one simple click could help change that. That’s why TxDOT’s “Teen Click It or Ticket” campaign urges teens to click it each time they are in a vehicle.

In 2018, of the 264 teen drivers and passengers killed in vehicle crashes in Texas, 111 were unrestrained.

“For teens, getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage, but when they start driving, they aren’t thinking about how their lack of experience places them at greater risk of getting in a crash,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “Tragedy can strike in an instant which is why we hope all parents, teachers and other influencers are urging teens to buckle up each and every time no matter how short the trip may be.”

The “Teen Click It or Ticket” campaign will reach out to Texas teens through TV, radio, digital advertising and social media. The campaign will also feature interactive events at six Texas high schools, a virtual reality game and an augmented reality experience to share the campaign’s safety message in a highly engaging manner.

Students will also see a mangled truck from a rollover crash where two teens were able to walk away with only minor scratches thanks to wearing their seat belts.

Texas law requires drivers and all passengers to wear a seat belt. Unbuckled drivers and passengers — even those in the back seat — face fines and fees of up to $200.

Seat belts prevent drivers and passengers from getting ejected from a vehicle, which is almost always deadly. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of dying in a crash by 45%. That number jumps to 60% for pickup truck crashes.

Teen Click It or Ticket” is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel, like wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit and never driving after drinking or doing drugs. Nov. 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways.

To learn more about “Teen Click It or Ticket,” visit https://www.txdot.gov/driver/kids-teens/teen-clickit.html.