TxDOT reminds teens to buckle up

The Texas Department of Transportation launched a new program aimed at increasing seat belt usage among teens called Teen Click It or Ticket.

TxDOT is partnering with more than 700 high schools and community colleges to reach 750,000 students with this life-saving message.

In 2010, the use of seat belts saved an estimated 1,425 lives. However, in that same year, nearly half of the 291 teen drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing seat belts.
 
TxDOT's traffic operations division director said in a press release that all it takes to buckle a seat belt is a few seconds, and those seconds are what could save lives in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

The campaign is distributing kits containing banners, lawn signs, posters and decals to high school and community college students to reinforce the message to buckle up.

Additionally, TxDOT officials will visit high-traffic locations throughout the area with a wrecked truck that was involved in a rollover accident involving two teens who wore their seat belts and emerged unharmed. The truck will come to Houston Feb. 27-28.

Teens can visit seatbeltsrock.com to share their stories about driving and seat belt usage, win prizes and learn more about the campaign.