Motorists Reminded to “Click It or Ticket” This Thanksgiving Weekend

Nashville, Tenn. – The Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GHSO) is joining national, state and local highway safety and law enforcement officials this Thanksgiving holiday to strongly remind all travelers to buckle up - every trip, every time.

The heavily-traveled Thanksgiving weekend is one of the most dangerous and deadliest times of the year on America’s roadways due to low seat belt use. During the 2005 Thanksgiving holiday 55 percent of people killed in traffic crashes were not wearing safety belts. In Tennessee, five of the 15 people killed during the 2005 Thanksgiving holiday were unrestrained.

“Millions will travel to see family and friends during this Thanksgiving holiday,” said TDOT Commissioner and Interim Department of Safety Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “We want to ensure that everyone arrives at their destinations safely, so remember to buckle up, stay alert and slow down.”

“Statistics show that too many people, especially teens, young male drivers (age 18 to 34) and pickup truck drivers still believe ‘it will never happen to me,’” said GHSO Director Kendell Poole. “But deadly crashes can and do happen everyday. Everyone needs to buckle up—every trip, every time, because seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect yourself in a crash.”

Although a record 82 percent of Americans now wear their seat belts when driving or riding in vehicles, up from 58 percent in 1994, many people still do not. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 31,415 passenger vehicle occupants died in crashes during 2005 – and more than half of those killed were not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash.

“Seat belts clearly save lives,” said Colonel Mike Walker, Tennessee Department of Safety. “Unfortunately too many people still need a tough reminder, so the Tennessee Highway Patrol will be out in force this Thanksgiving holiday with a strong ‘Click It or Ticket’ message and enforcement push to help save more lives on our highways.”

Walker says the enforcement crackdown will begin 6:00 pm Wednesday and run through 6:00 am Monday.

Drivers are also reminded that children must always be properly restrained. Statistics show that the majority (98%) of American infants are restrained. Unfortunately, seven out of ten child restraints are used improperly.

Older children also need to ride in the appropriate safety restraint for their size and age. Remember, if a child is under 4’9”, they need to be in a booster seat. Children moved from child safety seats to regular vehicle seat belts too soon are four times more likely to sustain a serious head injury in a crash than those restrained in child safety seats or booster seats.