From 2022 to 2023, there was a 6% increase in the number of teens not buckling up. TxDOT revealed that out of the 296 teen fatalities in Texas crashes in 2023, nearly 49% were unbelted.
“These fatalities serve as a sobering wake-up call,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Every time someone gets in a car and skips buckling up, they’re taking a deadly gamble. In the event of a crash, seat belts can give you the best chance to survive, and yet far too many Texas teens are still skipping this critical safety step.”
Throughout February, the Teen Click It or Ticket campaign will travel the state, targeting areas with the lowest teen seat belt use. The campaign will visit Howard Payne University in Brownwood on Thursday, February 6, and other locations across Texas:
- February 3: Palo Alto Community College in San Antonio
- February 4: Glenn High School in Austin
- February 6: Howard Payne University in Brownwood
- February 11: Hudson High School in Lufkin
- February 13: Houston Community College-Felix Fraga Academic
Campus in Houston
“The campaign calls on parents, schools and communities to encourage teens to develop the habit of buckling up, whether they are drivers or passengers,” TxDOT shared. “It’s also a reminder to parents and educators that being an example matters, and teens are more likely to wear seat belts when adults model the same behavior.”
The tour includes a trailer showcasing wreckage from a truck crash involving two teens who walked away with minor injuries—thanks to their seat belts. There will also be a vehicle equipped with screens displaying important safety information, reinforcing the message of how seat belts can make a life-saving difference in a crash.
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