RICHMOND – With the Memorial Day holiday on the way and summer just around the corner, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) joins Virginia’s local law enforcement and State Police to remind motorists to buckle up. The national Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign runs now through June 2, 2024 in an effort to keep Virginians safe on the roads.
Today, DMV partnered with Virginia State Police, Chesterfield County Police Department, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and AAA Mid-Atlantic at AAA’s Chesterfield office for a news conference to kick off the Click It or Ticket campaign.
“Buckling up when you get in the car is the easiest way to protect yourself in the event of a crash, and it only takes seconds,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “Last year, 335 unrestrained people died in crashes and there were over 1,400 serious injuries. These numbers show us that we need to continue spreading awareness about the importance of seat belts.”
According to the most recent statewide seat belt survey, 26.8% of Virginians were still not wearing a seat belt. Last year 54% of people killed in traffic crashes were unrestrained in a vehicle that had safety restraints – sobering statistics ahead of the upcoming holiday weekend’s expected rush.
According to AAA, the roads are expected to be some of the busiest ever for the Memorial Day holiday. Nationally, 38.4 million are expected to travel by car for the holiday, the most ever since AAA began forecasting holiday travel back in 2000. In Virginia, just over a million Virginians are expected to take a road trip over the long holiday weekend. That’s 4% higher than last year and less than 2% shy of the Memorial Day travel record set 19 years ago in 2005.
“Travelers could see busy roads and traffic in a lot of areas this holiday weekend which increases the risk of a crash,” said Morgan Dean, Manager for Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “That’s why it’s so important for drivers to buckle up, everyone, every trip, before they pull out of the driveway or parking space.”
Law enforcement begins their high-visibility enforcement along busy roads today, working to save to lives.
“Protect yourself and others by following the law and wearing your seatbelt,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “We want you to reach your destination safely and without injury. Virginia's state troopers take occupant safety very seriously because we know seatbelts save lives. Simply put, click it or receive a ticket."
DMV and their partners urge parents to ensure they are correctly buckling their children and themselves.
“At the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU we see the tragedy that follows a crash if a child is not properly secured. It’s heartbreaking knowing many of these injuries could have been prevented if the child had been in the right safety seat and properly secured,” said Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU Pediatric Injury Prevention Outreach and Education Coordinator Corri Miller-Hobbs. “Please, no matter how short the distance make sure your child is properly fastened in a seat that is right for them.”
“Click It or Ticket is aimed at changing people’s behavior in a way that could save their life. We want to remind folks to make safety the norm by buckling up every time you get in your vehicle,” said Chesterfield County Police Acting Chief of Police Lieutenant Colonel Brad Badgerow. “Parents, you are setting an example. Help your child build a life-saving habit by ensuring that you and your child and are properly buckled every time you get in your vehicle.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, buckling your seat belt can reduce your risk of death in a crash by 45%. DMV reminds you not to stay silent when it comes to seat belt safety.
“Talk to your loved ones, don’t just assume they buckle up,” said John Saunders, DMV Highway Safety Office Director of Outreach. “If you get in the car with someone and you see they aren’t buckled, speak up and remind them that their life and yours could depend on it.”