Seat Belts Saves Lives: Buckle Up May 18 – May 31, and Every Day

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

SPD

The Sarasota Police Department and U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are urging drivers to buckle up ahead of the Click It or Ticket seat belt safety campaign. The national high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs May 18-31, 2026.

“Seat belt use should be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike,” said Sergeant Anthony Frangioni, with the Sarasota Police Department Traffic Unit. “During the Click It or Ticket campaign, we’ll be working with our area law enforcement officers across Florida to ensure the message gets out to drivers and passengers. Not buckling up could mean a ticket, or worse, risking a life

In 2023, there were 10,484 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes according to NHTSA. The national seat belt use rate in 2024 was 91.2%, which is good, but it can be better. The other 8.8% still need to be reminded that seat belts save lives. Law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.

One of the focuses of the Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign is nighttime enforcement. NHTSA data shows a higher number of unrestrained occupant fatalities happen at night (56% between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.). Of the men killed in crashes in 2023, more than half (53%) were unrestrained. For women killed in crashes, 41% were not buckled up.

Buckle Up the Right Way
Place the shoulder belt across the middle of the chest and away from the neck.
Lay the lap belt across the hips and not the stomach.
NEVER place the seat belt behind the back or under arms.

“We are asking friends and family to remind each other to buckle up in the front and back seats and to consider changing their habits if they don’t,” said Sergeant Frangioni. “Seat belts save lives, and everyone, front seat and back, child and adult, needs to remember to buckle up.”