Since 2015, approximately one in five fatalities were unrestrained vehicle occupants

VANCOUVER – The Click It or Ticket campaign will have additional officers in Southwest Washington and across the state dedicated to conducting seat belt enforcement. Seat belt use plays a critical role in reducing the severity of traffic-related injuries and is your best protection in a collision. Since 2015, approximately one in five fatalities were unrestrained vehicle occupants. Early estimates for 2022 suggest unrestrained occupants in fatal and serious injury crashes continue rising.  

Jesamie Peters with Target Zero shared, “For most of us in Washington wearing our seatbelt is a reflex, and most of us never compromise on wearing one. Our goal is to remind people of the protection seat belts provide and to encourage that by modeling this behavior and encouraging others to always buckle up, they quite literally could be saving a life.” Wearing your seat belt drops your risk of fatal injury in a crash by 45%. There is no substitute. 

Target Zero and regional law enforcement agencies would like to remind you, you may only need your seat belt for three seconds in your lifetime, you just never know which three seconds they may be. Stay prepared, stay protected, and ensure you are buckled up, on every trip, every time you are in a vehicle.   

In WA, our goal is to have ZERO people in your household involved in a serious or fatal crash. Anyone can be a hero! Model, and encourage safe driving behaviors. 

• Model: Buckle UP, every trip, every time you are in a vehicle  

• Discuss: Speak up with family and friends, and especially young drivers about the importance of seat belt use 
• Advocate: Say something if you see someone not wearing their seat belt.  

Take action to keep our families and friends safe. If you are driving and see a suspected impaired driver, call 9-1-1. If you or someone you know struggles with substance abuse, there is help: Call 1-800-662-HELP.