The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office remind drivers and passengers to buckle up as we approach the holiday season. With more drivers on the road, the risk of crashes increases. The law enforcement community will be working together to reduce the number of fatalities that occur when vehicle passengers fail to buckle up. Make it Click. Every Trip. Every Time.
Nebraska ranks 49th in the country in seat belt usage. So far in 2024, there have been 223 vehicle fatalities, with 70 percent (119) of these individuals not wearing seat belts. During this mobilization, Nov. 23 – Dec. 1, law enforcement is putting extra emphasis on enforcing seat belt use and educating drivers to value life. Drivers and passengers are 45 percent more likely to survive a crash if they are wearing their seat belts. Remember to buckle up and put phones down when driving.
In 2022, during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend (6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, to 5:59 a.m. on Monday, November 28, 2022), there were 326 passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes across the nation, and 43 percent (141) were unrestrained. Not wearing a seat belt proved to be deadly at any time of the day during the holiday weekend: 47 percent of those killed in nighttime crashes were unbuckled, and 38 percent of those killed in daytime crashes also were unbuckled. These deaths represent needless tragedies for families across America and may have been prevented with the simple click of a seat belt.
“Thanksgiving kicks off a special season, but it’s also a busy time on our roads,” said Vicki Kramer, NDOT Director. “Whether it’s a short drive or a long trip, always buckle up and ensure kids are in the right seats. Through the Buckle Up Phone Down initiative, NDOT is committed to promoting safe habits that can save lives. Let’s keep safety top of mind and encourage family and friends to do the same.”
For more information about traveling safely this holiday season, please visit: www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts.