Click It Or Ticket

Wearing a seatbelt is one of the safest things you can do while driving. It’s also one of the smartest things you can do. Did you know that:

• Most fatal crashes occur at speeds below 40 mph and within 25 miles of your home.
• If you’re in a crash and are thrown from the vehicle you have a 75% chance of being killed. When worn correctly seatbelts reduce the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50%.
• Death rates are more than 8 times higher when the occupant is not buckled or restrained.
• In 60% of fatal crashes the victim isn’t buckled. However, when worn, seatbelts can reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45%

That’s a lot of numbers. They all add up to SAFETY. You’re safer in your car when you’re buckled. Your passengers are safer when they’re buckled. A seatbelt is the best defense against reckless, impaired or distracted drivers.

One more thing: Adults who don’t buckle up are sending children the message that it is all right to not wear a seat belt. Children model adult behavior. 70 percent of the time that a driver is unbuckled, you can bet that the children riding in that vehicle aren’t buckled either.

Wearing a safety belt is the law here in Virginia. It's the law for a reason.