Click It or Ticket

2008 Mobilization

May 19 - June 1

Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. Yet nearly one in five Americans (18 percent nationally) still fail to regularly wear their seat belts. That's why this May, State Highway Safety Offices partnered with state and local law enforcement and other groups to launch the annual Click It or Ticket (CIOT) seat belt mobilization campaign.

The 2008 campaign emphasized nighttime seat belt use. The nighttime crash fatality rate is about three times higher than the daytime rate. Data show that the later at night a crash occurs, the less likely a fatally injured occupant is to be buckled up. Increasing seat belt use among occupants traveling at night could substantially lessen injury and fatality rates.

For a list of seat belt laws by state, check out GHSA's Seat Belt Law chart.

Examples of states' 2008 CIOT mobilization efforts are listed below. To find out more, contact the public information officer for your State Highway Safety Office.

Alabama—Alabama has increased seat belt use to 82.9 percent of drivers, largely because of the messages of the Click it or Ticket campaigns and seat belt laws. The 2008 campaign involved media advertising, special check points, more law enforcement officers on the road, and traffic monitoring in areas where crashes most frequently occur. The media message focused on 'real life' stories from Alabamians who were spared serious injuries in crashes because they were wearing seat belts. Messages were also placed on electronic billboards along highways. Many special campaigns were geared to different areas.
Alaska—Alaska proudly hosted a Click It Or Ticket mobilization press event on May 19 in Wasilla, Alaska–home to Governor and former Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin. National, state and local administrators, along with law enforcement leadership, delivered messages to motivate the enforcement of seat belt laws across our country. For the first time, Alaska began a multi-jurisdictional nighttime seat belt enforcement project during the CIOT campaign, combining the efforts of the Houston, Palmer and Wasilla Police Departments. This collaboration provided the separate communities more manpower to promote traffic safety as well as bolster the relationship between the three agencies.
Arizona—The Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) provided funding for agencies around the state to conduct seat belt enforcement to support the national campaigns. Local TV and radio stations broadcast seat belt safety messages. On May 22, at the Executive Towers of the State Capitol, GOHS conducted a press conference to emphasize the importance of having our young drivers buckled up. Participants included: NHTSA Senior Associate Administrator of Traffic Injury Control Brian McLaughlin, law enforcement officials, the Federal Motor Carriers Administrator (to highlight commercial belt use enforcement), GOHS' partners in the medical/injury prevention fields, and youth organizations.
Arkansas—More than 100 law enforcement agencies in Arkansas participated in the Click It or Ticket: Day & Night national mobilization, emphasizing day and nighttime enforcement of seat belt laws. The Arkansas Highway Safety Office (AHSO) hosted a media event on May 13, featuring: Col. Winford Phillips, Director, Arkansas State Police; Brian M. McLaughlin, NHTSA's Senior Associate Administrator of Traffic Injury Control; and a young woman who was saved by the belt. The mobilization was publicized on cable, broadcast television, radio and Hispanic media, online, on lighted outdoor boards, and at the Traveler's baseball park. Other companies and agencies helped spread the word: 210 fast-food outlets posted CIOT Day & Night signs in their windows and stickers on take-out orders; a local print publication conducted a contest for readers to send in buckle up pledges for a drawing to win $500 worth of gasoline; and the State DOT displayed CIOT messages on their variable message boards.
California—Across California, the Click It or Ticket message was shared on radio traffic reports, billboards, bus shelters, rental cars, car dealer lots and roadway signs. In addition to hundreds of permanent signs–one for every fifty miles of highway–the California Department of Transportation and Department of Motor Vehicles placed the message on all LED and changeable message signs. That's over 325 signs on the busiest highways in the nation. The 281 local agencies that participated in the mobilization also were encouraged to publicize their local efforts. All other local law enforcement agencies were invited to take part by utilizing logos, press release templates and fact sheets. Special outreach materials were sent to California high schools, focusing on the three counties with the lowest teen seat belt use. For more information, visit www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Campaigns/CIOT/default.asp .
Connecticut—Connecticut's law enforcement officers worked hundreds of hours of overtime conducting checkpoints to enforce the state's mandatory seat belt use law. The Connecticut DOT's Transportation Safety Section provided grants to pay for more than 1,500 hours of overtime. Connecticut also aired extensive television ads alerting motorists about the increased enforcement. With more than 112 state and local law enforcement agencies participating, Connecticut anticipates the campaign helped increase the state's usage rate. Between these large-scale state and local enforcement campaigns, the Transportation Safety Section also funded smaller, nighttime seat belt enforcement projects supported by earned media publicity.
Delaware—The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) funded and coordinated enforcement efforts for 29 state, county and municipal police agencies. The 2008 campaign included both daytime and nighttime enforcement and ran May 11 through May 26. At checkpoints, buckled up drivers and passengers received a card they could use to register on the TEAM Coalition's website to win one of five pairs of tickets to the September race at Dover International Speedway. The campaign also included statewide paid media buys, earned media opportunities, and community outreach such as mailing articles to city council members from low belt use areas. To reach Delaware's lowest belt use populations–teens–OHS created toolkits for school resource officers and YELL/SADD chapters to use to promote the campaign through peer led activities. Toolkits included observation and opinion survey templates, morning announcements, newsletter articles, TV and radio ads, posters and other incentive items. OHS also provided fliers to the faith community, to be used as inserts in church bulletins, and is sending to the Dover Air Force Base fliers and posters designed to appeal to airmen who travel off base.
Florida—Florida conducted a statewide media event on May 9 in Tallahassee to kickoff its Click It or Ticket campaign. In addition to the kickoff, nine other media events were held in Pensacola, Panama City, Jacksonville, Ocala, the Orlando area, Miami, West Palm, St. Petersburg, and Ft. Myers during the week of May 12. Florida partnered with law enforcement agencies all across the state to increase enforcement of safety belt and other traffic safety related laws during the mobilization.To increase awareness, the state also purchased paid media in media markets across the state, partnered with major and minor league sports teams, and conducted promotions with radio stations. More information can be found at www.clickitfla.com.
Georgia—Georgia's Click It or Ticket kickoff media event was held May 19 in front of a control tower at Atlanta International Airport. "You listen to your flight attendant's instructions to buckle-up on holiday take-offs and landings," said GOHS Director Bob Dallas. "So why would highway passengers even consider making a trip to the airport without buckling-up on the road?" NHTSA Senior Associate Administrator of Traffic Injury Control, Brian McLaughlin, was scheduled to speak, and reporters heard from a crash survivor who was "saved by the belt." The CIOT initiative was also promoted at 16 regional news conferences, where police, deputies and state troopers discussed both daytime and nighttime seat belt law enforcement. Paid media strategy included statewide ads on broadcast radio, TV, cable and Hispanic media, with additional paid messaging at Turner Stadium during Braves' games and free messaging on state DOT digital highway message boards. More than 500 law enforcement agencies participated in this Memorial Day holiday enforcement campaign. Georgia's safety belt use is rated at 89%, the highest in the southeast.
Guam—Guam planned a variety of efforts to convince its motorists to buckle up. It aired Click It or Ticket messages, including free public service announcements and other PSAs, on television and various radio stations. Messages were also placed on billboards and changeable message signs, and radio and television talk shows were recorded and aired during the mobilization. Guam's Law Enforcement Agencies conducted high visibility enforcement and worked hundreds of hours of overtime conducting saturation patrols and checkpoints to increase public awareness of the importance of wearing seatbelts and using child restraint systems.
Hawaii—The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and all four county police departments participated in the 2008 Click It Or Ticket mobilization. High visibility enforcement was conducted in all four counties and was publicized through a statewide media campaign that included movie theatre advertising. HDOT also distributed CIOT posters and banners statewide and used variable message boards to remind drivers about the mobilization.
Indiana—Indiana's Click It or Ticket campaign kicked off on May 15 with a media event at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Law enforcement officers were joined by Indy Car driver Sarah Fisher and NHTSA Senior Associate Administrator of Traffic Injury Control Brian McLaughlin to remind Hoosier motorists to buckle up behind the wheel–no matter how they choose to travel. Law Enforcement Liaisons spearheaded a unique initiative to raise awareness about the importance of seat belt use. Through the RACE (Reducing Auto Crashes Through Corridor Enforcement) U.S. 40 mobilization, officers from 19 agencies participated in a coordinated effort to specifically target unrestrained motorists traveling Indiana Highway U.S. 40 between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Iowa—Iowa local, county and state law enforcement joined hundreds of other law enforcement agencies across the country in renewing a pledge to save lives by intensifying seat belt enforcement around the clock during the 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization. Extended hours helped officers focus on all unbuckled motorists–day and night. The annual Operation TNT Corridor Event (Highways 2, 92 and 34) was May 29, concentrating enforcement on the southern third of the state. Click It or Ticket messages were displayed across the state on DOT message boards. Campaign information and the lifesaving benefits of wearing a seat belt is available on the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau website at www.dps.state.ia.us/commis/gtsb/GTSBsTEP.shtml#CIOT.
Kansas—A media event was held in Wichita on May 15. The Bureau of Traffic Safety hosted, and speakers included a NHTSA representative, the Colonel of the Kansas Highway Patrol, Chief of the Wichita PD, and a Sgt. with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office (Wichita) who was saved by her belt. The media adisory included pictures of her car. More than 130 Kansas law enforcement agencies participated in CIOT. Kansas planned $200,000 in paid media (TV and radio) during the mobilization, utilizing state-produced CIOT ads. A media release and a letter to the editor were submitted to all daily papers. The Kansas DOT used portable message boards throughout the state to share the buckle up message, as did the KC Scout Intelligent Transportation System in the Kansas City metro area.
Louisiana—The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is dedicated to increasing enforcement efforts, raising awareness of the primary belt law, and supporting education and information outreach efforts. The 2008 combined campaign joined more than 40 law enforcement agencies, several Safe Communities and multiple education programs to provide comprehensive coverage throughout the state. The primary Click It Or Ticket message was supplemented by a back seat educational and awareness message, coinciding with an effort to change the state's primary belt law to include back seat passengers. Louisiana is optimistic that the ongoing efforts of the campaign will continue to improve seat belt usage.
Maine—More than 60 municipal police departments, 10 county sheriffs’ offices, and the Maine State Police participated in Maine’s Buckle Up. No Excuses! campaign, which ran in conjunction with the national Click it or Ticket mobilization. This year brought a heightened awareness to the campaign and enforcement efforts, as Maine’s new primary belt law went into effect April 1. The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety funded numerous television and radio commercials to alert drivers about the enforcement efforts. Electronic message signs were also posted on the highways.
Maryland—More than 120 Maryland law enforcement agencies participated in an intense month of occupant protection programs, such as stepped-up enforcement (including nighttime enforcement) and community outreach. Media air buys augmented the national Click it or Ticket airtime. The target demographics were pickup truck drivers, urban audiences and Maryland's Hispanic population. Partnerships were secured with local radio stations, outdoor media venues and traffic sponsorship networks. Some stations held contests to give away donated prizes, including a trip to Dover Speedway in Delaware for the June NASCAR race, an all-expenses-paid trip to the BET Awards in Los Angeles, and even a pickup truck. Training and media events took place the week of May 19: an event at the Delmarva Shorebird's stadium; press ride-alongs with officers conducting night time enforcement operations; and two large-scale training events.
Massachusetts—The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) conducted its mobilization May 14 to June 4. With $1.3 million in federal funds, the EOPSS coordinated stepped-up traffic enforcement, a public information campaign and community outreach to reduce motor vehicle-related fatalities, injuries and economic loss. The State Police and more than 240 local police departments used grant funds to conduct additional high-visibility traffic enforcement. News of this enforcement, and the dangers of non-belt use, was highlighted statewide through TV, radio, billboard and sport venue advertising as well as earned media efforts. Secondary messaging highlighted a new Massachusetts booster seat requirement going into effect July 10. Transportation agencies displayed Click It or Ticket messages on nearly 100 fixed and portable variable message boards, and letters were sent to enlist school support for the mobilization, including using Click It or Ticket homeroom announcements. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.
Michigan—Nearly 800 seat belt enforcement zones were planned for the annual two-week seat belt mobilization in Michigan. Federal traffic safety funds allowed special extra patrols by 243 local police departments and sheriff's offices as well as the Michigan Department of State Police. A portion of the enforcement took place during late night hours to encourage motorists to buckle up around the clock.
Minnesota—In Minnesota this year, Click It or Ticket went high-tech: teens were recruited to send out blast "Buckle Up" text messages. "Teen Online Belt Squads" also shared seat belt TV PSA and the Click It or Ticket message with friends on their MySpace and facebook pages. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) mailed postcards to teens in the counties with high numbers of unbelted teen deaths. The postcard directed teens to rockthebelt.org to take a driver's survey and get free music downloads. DPS also coordinated a statewide media buy, spreading the word through TV/cable, radio, gas pumps, websites and theaters. Law enforcement partners had "Buckle Up" banners and window clings to distribute to businesses in their communities. White Castle, Fleet Farm, and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities were just some of the partners helping to promote the enforcement. Variable message signs displayed "Buckle Up" reminders to freeway motorists. A kickoff news conference was held the week of May 12. Midway through enforcement, nighttime ride-alongs were offered to media to help sustain the message.
Missouri—Missouri had a variety of activities planned to promote Click It or Ticket. Radio and television messages were played around the state. While some of these ads involved all drivers, others focused specifically on pickup truck drivers. The Missouri State Highway Patrol produced a pickup truck television spot with their local PI officers. The state also used "Buckle Up in Your Truck" ads from 2007, radio spots from NHTSA, and "Buckle Up in Your Truck" and NHTSA posters. On May 21, a statewide press conference took place in St. Louis. The highway safety office requested MoDOT message boards display CIOT messages. All available ads are posted on saveMOlives.com; other materials are available on the Click It or Ticket page in the Programs section of the site.
Montana—In 2008, Montana's mobilization highlighted a powerful video called "Room to Live" that emphasizes the life-saving qualities of the safety cage-an integral design feature of the modern vehicle-WHEN used in conjunction with seat belts. The clip being used focused on one Montana family's loss of a loved one due to not using a seat belt. Over 3,000 copies of this video have been distributed to throughout the state to law enforcement, driver education programs, media outlets and other safety advocates. The clip was featured center-stage on the Montana DOT's website at www.mdt.mt.gov. Rather than holding a traditional press conference, the "Room to Live" video clip was shared through viral messaging. Mobilization also included over 1,000 hours of high-visibility law enforcement overtime traffic patrols. Public awareness of enforcement efforts were promoted through an aggressive media campaign that included over 6,000 radio spots and over 1,000 television spots on major networks.
Nebraska—In Nebraska, special enforcement grants were awarded to 54 law enforcement agencies across the state. These agencies represent 84% of Nebraska's law enforcement personnel. Officers provided over 12,500 addition CIOT enforcement operation hours between May 19 and June1. Many of these agencies hosted local kickoff media efforts combined with multimedia campaign announcements.
New Jersey—New Jersey's 500 law enforcement agencies joined forces in support of the 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization. The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety awarded grants to 210 police agencies for overtime seat belt enforcement. The other police agencies participated with their own resources. During the 2007 mobilization, 100% participation was achieved–every law enforcement agency took part in Click It or Ticket. As a result, New Jersey's seat belt usage rate rose for the eleventh consecutive year, to 91.4%. State officials and law enforcement will not rest until New Jersey achieves a 100% compliance rate. Media activities for the 2008 campaign included fixed seat belt checkpoints in each of the state's three regions (north, central, and south) during the first two days of the campaign. State officials also took park in a Tri-State Click It or Ticket kickoff event in Times Square on the evening of May 19.
New Mexico—New Mexico wants its citizens to understand that buckling up saves lives. Throughout the Click It or Ticket campaign, New Mexico used around-the-clock seat belt enforcement in hopes of increasing the current 91.5 percent rate of observed drivers and passengers who use their seat belts. NMDOT Traffic Safety Bureau (TSB) emphasized nighttime seat belt enforcement because statistics show seat belt usage goes down at night. Local, county and state agencies all took part in the mobilization to make New Mexico roads safer during this campaign, with a goal of carrying that forward through the year. NMDOT TSB sponsored television and radio spots to educate the public that two points will be added to their license for violating New Mexico's primary seat belt law. New Mexico also used billboards throughout the state proclaiming "Wear it day or night. CIOT."
New York—The State of New York hosted two large scale press events: one in the capital Albany and the other in New York City. The May 14 Albany event featured Commissioner of Motor Vehicles David Swarts and NHTSA's Chief of Staff David Kelley. The newly appointed Superintendent of the New York State Police, Harry Corbitt, was also expected to attend. A huge inflatable gorilla wearing a seatbelt was displayed, and "Buckle-Up" tee shirts compressed into hockey puck-sized shapes were tossed to attendees. A NTHSA-sponsored event took place on the evening of May 19 in Times Square, highlighting the importance of wearing seatbelts at night. Invited speakers included NHTSA Region 2 Administrator Tom Louizou; Commissioner Swarts; NYPD Chief Michael Scagnelli; a crash victim; and representatives from the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut State Police forces.
North Carolina—The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) celebrated the 15th anniversary of Click It or Ticket in North Carolina. GHSP hosted three events to mark the occasion. First, a kickoff event was held on May 19 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte. The next two events were held in Greensboro and in Wilmington aboard the USS North Carolina. GHSP partnered with several sports organizations in North Carolina, including: the National Hockey League Carolina Hurricanes; Lowe’s Motor Speedway; all four North Carolina ACC basketball teams; and all 10 minor league baseball teams in North Carolina. These partnerships promote the Click It or Ticket message to the millions of sports fans in attendance throughout the year.
North Dakota—The North Dakota DOT's Office of Traffic Safety worked with state and local law enforcement agencies, Safe Communities programs, and public information consultants to spread the message: “Stay Inside to Survive!” Law enforcement agencies worked overtime. Local Safe Communities programs conducted earned media events, including: a news conference with a North Dakota-born World of Outlaws race car driver who signs seat belt pledges with young fans; law enforcement appreciation events; community events with seat belt convincers, rollover, and crashed vehicle displays; radio and TV talk shows; Vince and Larry activities; banners; PSAs, and more. The state used paid media to place the enforcement message on TV, radio, billboards, and online, through email distribution lists and electronic posters on partner websites. CIOT toolkits–including posters; banners; a memo soliciting support; samples of audio announcements, in-kind print, and online advertisement copy; and talking points–were distributed to partners such as public access channels, the North Dakota Newspaper Association, the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association, the North Dakota Grocers Association, Simonson gas stations, military bases, and the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks baseball team.
Ohio—The Click It or Ticket message was spread throughout the state by approximately 30 Safe Communities organizations and more than 900 local law enforcement partners. Ohio participated in local, county and state events with West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky. Ohio Department of Public Safety's assistant director attended a kickoff event in the Cleveland area. Highway safety partners displayed banners, yard signs and posters in high visibility locations and distributed more than 25,000 Click it or Ticket magnets for vehicles and other high visibility locations around the state. More than 20 local events were planned throughout the state. A paid media buy included television, radio, and other targeted outlets such as bus shelters and movie theaters, to hit more rural areas. Ohio also coordinated an earned media effort with a press release and other materials and placed a Click it or Ticket link from the Governor's Highway Safety Office website.
Oklahoma—The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office funded special traffic enforcement projects in support of the Click It or Ticket mobilization. Law enforcement officers worked hundreds of hours of overtime conducting special patrols and checkpoints to enforce the state’s mandatory seat belt law. Oklahoma aired extensive television, radio and billboard ads alerting motorists about the stepped-up enforcement. The Oklahoma DOT assisted in the effort: message signs publicized the enforcement on the state’s busiest highways. In 2008, Oklahoma added a new teen component targeting young drivers, ages 15-17. To reach Hispanic Oklahomans, the Highway Safety Office also developed campaign elements in Spanish. The campaign kicked off with an exciting and informative mobilization breakfast event, May 14 in Oklahoma City.
Oregon—Twenty-seven Sheriff’s Offices, 63 municipal police departments and 16 Oregon State Police Commands participated in the 2008 Click It or Ticket campaign–one of three annual statewide safety belt overtime saturations. These agencies focused on enforcing “proper use” requirements of Oregon's safety belt and child restraint laws. They also educated drivers regarding upgraded child seat/booster laws and extension of restraint laws to commercial vehicles. Overtime funding and media support in the form of CIOT roadway signs, a statewide press release, and new radio and television PSAs (highlighting age and height requirements of the new booster law) were provided by Oregon Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Office.
Pennsylvania—The Spring 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization brought together "Buckle Up Pennsylvania"–454 municipal police departments and every troop of the Pennsylvania State Police– to increase the state's seat belt usage rate. Departments were encouraged to focus extra efforts on the four demographic groups that lag behind the rest of the state in seat belt use: young adults, males ages 18-34, pickup truck/service vehicle occupants and nighttime occupants. Governor Rendell proclaimed May 12 Buckle Up Pennsylvania Day to kick off the activities. Extensive paid media, earned media and public awareness campaigns were planned to complement the mobilization. For more information, visit www.buckleuppa.org.
Puerto Rico—State Police and over 45 municipal law enforcement agencies across the island participated in the CIOT mobilization, working thousands of overtime hours, conducting special patrols and expanding nighttime enforcement funded by the Puerto Rico Traffic Safety Commission (PRTSC). The enforcement efforts were complemented with a public information campaign involving radio/TV spots and print ads carrying the message "De Día y De Noche, Si No Te Amarras, Pagas." A two-week media tour followed Puerto Rico Governor, Hon. Aníbal Acevedo-Vila's launch of the campaign on May 14. In addition, the PRTSC executive director sent over 300 letters to city mayors, public agency executives, TV station managers and cellular phone company officers, among others, encouraging them to share the message with their employees and clients. At the end of the month, Puerto Rico's First Lady spoke at the Seat Belt Honor Roll Award Ceremony, recognizing public and private entities that promote use of seat belt in their organizations.
Rhode Island—The Rhode Island Office of Highway Safety (OHS) funded overtime seatbelt enforcement across the state. To publicize the crackdown, Rhode Island aired the national NHTSA media spots on cable, broadcast television, radio and Hispanic media. Hosted by the Rhode Island State Police, the campaign kickoff was May 19 and included a demonstration of a new Rollover Simulator. Invited kickoff speakers were the Governor, senior NHTSA staff, RI DOT Director Michael Lewis, and Warwick Chief of Police and President of the RI Police Chiefs Association, Colonel Steven McCartney. Dr. Jon Philip Bas, a primary care physician who focuses on men’s health and counsels seat belt use to his patients, took questions from the media.
South Carolina—South Carolina's 2008 statewide occupant protection mobilization was “Buckle up, South Carolina. It’s the law and it’s enforced.” The SC Office of Highway Safety (OHS) anticipated a media campaign in excess of $400,000 and requested the use of DOT variable message boards to promote the campaign. The state's Law Enforcement Network, comprised of more than 160 agencies, conducted integrated enforcement efforts throughout the mobilization, emphasizing occupant protection, speeding and impaired driving violations. Agencies also set up saturation patrols in designated high crash corridors. OHS held a kickoff press event May 16 at the SC Department of Public Safety headquarters, focusing on the three stages of a traffic crash. The event also featured the paid media spots that ran throughout the campaign, one of which was a revival of South Carolina’s highly successful “Highways or Dieways” media campaign effort. Local law enforcement agencies held similarly themed press events.
Tennessee—More than 250 law enforcement agencies across the state conducted DUI checkpoints from May 18 through June 1. During this period, Tennessee held "Hands Across The Border" events that featured multi-agency checkpoints and press events with border states. Tennessee also ran the Click It or Ticket campaign message through television and radio advertising, and interstate digital messaging boards displayed the Click It or Ticket message during the Memorial Day Holiday.
Texas—Texas launched its most aggressive Click It or Ticket campaign to date. Law enforcement across the state embraced the campaign. TxDOT funded enforcement for about 177 agencies; hundreds of others participated with their own funding. An equipment/training incentive program provided grants to 20 agencies for participating in the campaign and reporting their enforcement efforts. Thousands of TV and radio public service announcements (PSAs) reminded motorists to buckle up. Moviegoers saw a one-minute CIOT PSA. Billboards, gas pump toppers, cabs, delivery trucks, and even concrete trucks (Austin area) all displayed the message, which was also promoted online. Approximately 15 press events were expected; several press releases were scheduled; and a video news release was distributed statewide, highlighting a special effort to showcase the CIOT message at Texas landmarks. TxDOT displayed "Buckle Up In Your Truck" and "Click It or Ticket (Fines up to $200)" messages on its dynamic message signs. Outreach efforts, including child passenger safety checkup events, working with sports arenas, heath fairs, and schools were also planned. Texas campaign materials and PSAs are at www.TxDOT.gov.
Utah—Click It Or Ticket kicked off in Utah on May 20 with a press event held at Lagoon Park, a popular regional amusement park. The kickoff included saturation patrols and featured opportunities for the media to ride with an officer. More than 60 law enforcement agencies participated in enforcement mobilization, and nighttime enforcement was conducted in three of the larger jurisdictions. The kickoff coincided with High School Week at Lagoon, offering a unique opportunity to reach high school-aged teens. In addition to occupant protection, messages on other teen driver safety issues were placed throughout the park.
Vermont—Vermont's Governor's Highway Safety Program awarded $100,000 in local police agency grants for 3,000 hours of localized enforcement. It also dedicated more than $250,000 to roaming task forces of highly motivated officers, who traveled to areas of low safety belt use to bring high-visibility enforcement to where it is needed most. An additional $170,000 was dedicated to paid media. Vermont worked on earned media with many partners, including: Thunder Road Speedbowl, Bond Auto, Chittenden Bank, American Red Cross, Clear Channel Radio, Lake Monsters professional baseball team, Voltage professional soccer team, and Vermont rest areas. Having achieved 87% seat belt use last year, $3.7 million was on the line if the state is able to reach or exceed 85% this year. (A pre-mobilization survey showed 82% seat belt use.) State government leaders (Secretary of Transportation, Commissioners of Public Safety, Health and Motor Vehicles, and the Office of EMS and Injury Prevention) also participated in media interviews and talk shows to raise awareness.
U.S. Virgin Islands—The Office of Highway Safety joined forces with the Traffic Bureau of the Virgin Islands Police Department; the Department of Health's EMS Division; private sector businesses; as well as government agencies and high schools to conduct a variety of initiatives for the national Click it or Ticket campaign. A kickoff press conference was held with the Police Commissioner, the Assistant Commissioner, and the Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs and Traffic Commanders of the Virgin Islands Police Department. Daytime and nighttime enforcement ran May 19 through June 1. The Chiefs of Police recorded Click it or Ticket public service announcements. Private sector businesses and the government's payroll department inscribed the message Click it or Ticket, Safety Belts Save Lives message on employee pay stubs. Territory high schools spread the word daily through their public address systems. Also, the Office of Highway Safety, in conjunction with the EMS Division, hosted a Flag & Drag Child Safety Seat Program.
Virginia—Click It or Ticket Virginia had several exciting events in 2008. Enforcement efforts began with the brand new TOPS (Traffic Occupant Protection Strategies). A large "Train the Trainer" class let law enforcement the be some of the first to receive the curriculum and share the information with their fellow officers. Midway through the mobilization, agencies joined forces along common state routes for the Click It or Ticket Blitz, which emphasized nighttime traffic enforcement and belt use. In addition to enforcement, over 300 state, local and military law enforcement agencies worked to promote the Virginia Highway Safety Office's large-scale media campaign in their own jurisdictions. Banners, yard signs, posters and billboards were posted all over the Commonwealth. Jurisdictional news conferences, high school events, child safety seat checks and variable message boards were used to spread the word about the importance of seat belt use. Media placed the Click It or Ticket logo on their websites, linking to seat belt tips on the Virginia Highway Safety Office website.
Washington—Police, sheriff and State Patrol officers throughout Washington State conducted seat belt patrols at night. The nighttime death rate is four times higher than the daytime rate, and seat belt use at night is about six percentage points lower. The aim of the project was to improve seat belt use, maintain good daytime seat belt use rates and reduce vehicle occupant deaths. Two previous nighttime seat belt-focused mobilizations netted seat belt law violators, along with numerous other risky drivers, including impaired drivers. The mobilization was publicized through radio and television ads and variable message road signs visible from more than 150 freeways and highways throughout the state.
West Virginia—West Virginia participated in the Click It or Ticket campaign May 19-June 1. Paid media, including radio and television, ran throughout the campaign. Law enforcement promoted the message by enforcing the seat belt law during routine traffic stops–day and night. Billboards were up across the state for the month of May, and eight regional coordinators in the state worked to generate earned media through localized educational events. Interstate message boards will also be displaying the Click It or Ticket message. The WV Division of Highways also supported the Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s efforts by running the “Highways or Dieways” campaign during the same time as Click It or Ticket. The GHSP hopes that these two television spots combined, coupled with radio, billboards, and the hard work of law enforcement will save lives.
Wisconsin—More than 300 law enforcement agencies mobilized for Click It or Ticket from May 19 to June 1. 2008's Click It or Ticket was the largest coordinated law enforcement mobilization in Wisconsin history. State troopers, sheriff's deputies and police officers patrolled in greater numbers and for longer hours to enforce the state's mandatory safety belt law. Their efforts were backed by a media campaign to remind drivers that they must buckle up every trip-day or night-not only to avoid a ticket, but also to protect themselves and their passengers from serious injury or death. With three out of four people buckling up, safety belt use in Wisconsin is at an all-time high. However, Wisconsin's 75 percent safety belt use rate still lags well behind the national average of 82 percent.

Projects & Activities GHSA Home Performance Measures Best Practices Drunk Driving Occupant Protection Teen Driver Safety Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running Safe Routes to School Highway Safety Calendar Sign Up for GHSA News	Click It or Ticket 2008 Mobilization May 19 - June 1 NHTSA Press Release (May 19) Campaign Headquarters Guidance on Nighttime Seat Belt Enforcement Top 10 Excuses for Not Buckling Up Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. Yet nearly one in five Americans (18 percent nationally) still fail to regularly wear their seat belts. That's why this May, State Highway Safety Offices partnered with state and local law enforcement and other groups to launch the annual Click It or Ticket (CIOT) seat belt mobilization campaign. The 2008 campaign emphasized nighttime seat belt use. The nighttime crash fatality rate is about three times higher than the daytime rate. Data show that the later at night a crash occurs, the less likely a fatally injured occupant is to be buckled up. Increasing seat belt use among occupants traveling at night could substantially lessen injury and fatality rates. For a list of seat belt laws by state, check out GHSA's Seat Belt Law chart. Examples of states' 2008 CIOT mobilization efforts are listed below. To find out more, contact the public information officer for your State Highway Safety Office. Alabama—Alabama has increased seat belt use to 82.9 percent of drivers, largely because of the messages of the Click it or Ticket campaigns and seat belt laws. The 2008 campaign involved media advertising, special check points, more law enforcement officers on the road, and traffic monitoring in areas where crashes most frequently occur. The media message focused on 'real life' stories from Alabamians who were spared serious injuries in crashes because they were wearing seat belts. Messages were also placed on electronic billboards along highways. Many special campaigns were geared to different areas. Alaska—Alaska proudly hosted a Click It Or Ticket mobilization press event on May 19 in Wasilla, Alaska–home to Governor and former Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin. National, state and local administrators, along with law enforcement leadership, delivered messages to motivate the enforcement of seat belt laws across our country. For the first time, Alaska began a multi-jurisdictional nighttime seat belt enforcement project during the CIOT campaign, combining the efforts of the Houston, Palmer and Wasilla Police Departments. This collaboration provided the separate communities more manpower to promote traffic safety as well as bolster the relationship between the three agencies. Arizona—The Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) provided funding for agencies around the state to conduct seat belt enforcement to support the national campaigns. Local TV and radio stations broadcast seat belt safety messages. On May 22, at the Executive Towers of the State Capitol, GOHS conducted a press conference to emphasize the importance of having our young drivers buckled up. Participants included: NHTSA Senior Associate Administrator of Traffic Injury Control Brian McLaughlin, law enforcement officials, the Federal Motor Carriers Administrator (to highlight commercial belt use enforcement), GOHS' partners in the medical/injury prevention fields, and youth organizations. Arkansas—More than 100 law enforcement agencies in Arkansas participated in the Click It or Ticket: Day & Night national mobilization, emphasizing day and nighttime enforcement of seat belt laws. The Arkansas Highway Safety Office (AHSO) hosted a media event on May 13, featuring: Col. Winford Phillips, Director, Arkansas State Police; Brian M. McLaughlin, NHTSA's Senior Associate Administrator of Traffic Injury Control; and a young woman who was saved by the belt. The mobilization was publicized on cable, broadcast television, radio and Hispanic media, online, on lighted outdoor boards, and at the Traveler's baseball park. Other companies and agencies helped spread the word: 210 fast-food outlets posted CIOT Day & Night signs in their windows and stickers on take-out orders; a local print publication conducted a contest for readers to send in buckle up pledges for a drawing to win $500 worth of gasoline; and the State DOT displayed CIOT messages on their variable message boards. California—Across California, the Click It or Ticket message was shared on radio traffic reports, billboards, bus shelters, rental cars, car dealer lots and roadway signs. In addition to hundreds of permanent signs–one for every fifty miles of highway–the California Department of Transportation and Department of Motor Vehicles placed the message on all LED and changeable message signs. That's over 325 signs on the busiest highways in the nation. The 281 local agencies that participated in the mobilization also were encouraged to publicize their local efforts. All other local law enforcement agencies were invited to take part by utilizing logos, press release templates and fact sheets. Special outreach materials were sent to California high schools, focusing on the three counties with the lowest teen seat belt use. For more information, visit www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Campaigns/CIOT/default.asp . Connecticut—Connecticut's law enforcement officers worked hundreds of hours of overtime conducting checkpoints to enforce the state's mandatory seat belt use law. The Connecticut DOT's Transportation Safety Section provided grants to pay for more than 1,500 hours of overtime. Connecticut also aired extensive television ads alerting motorists about the increased enforcement. With more than 112 state and local law enforcement agencies participating, Connecticut anticipates the campaign helped increase the state's usage rate. Between these large-scale state and local enforcement campaigns, the Transportation Safety Section also funded smaller, nighttime seat belt enforcement projects supported by earned media publicity. Delaware—The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) funded and coordinated enforcement efforts for 29 state, county and municipal police agencies. The 2008 campaign included both daytime and nighttime enforcement and ran May 11 through May 26. At checkpoints, buckled up drivers and passengers received a card they could use to register on the TEAM Coalition's website to win one of five pairs of tickets to the September race at Dover International Speedway. The campaign also included statewide paid media buys, earned media opportunities, and community outreach such as mailing articles to city council members from low belt use areas. To reach Delaware's lowest belt use populations–teens–OHS created toolkits for school resource officers and YELL/SADD chapters to use to promote the campaign through peer led activities. Toolkits included observation and opinion survey templates, morning announcements, newsletter articles, TV and radio ads, posters and other incentive items. OHS also provided fliers to the faith community, to be used as inserts in church bulletins, and is sending to the Dover Air Force Base fliers and posters designed to appeal to airmen who travel off base. Florida—Florida conducted a statewide media event on May 9 in Tallahassee to kickoff its Click It or Ticket campaign. In addition to the kickoff, nine other media events were held in Pensacola, Panama City, Jacksonville, Ocala, the Orlando area, Miami, West Palm, St. Petersburg, and Ft. Myers during the week of May 12. Florida partnered with law enforcement agencies all across the state to increase enforcement of safety belt and other traffic safety related laws during the mobilization.To increase awareness, the state also purchased paid media in media markets across the state, partnered with major and minor league sports teams, and conducted promotions with radio stations. More information can be found at www.clickitfla.com. Georgia—Georgia's Click It or Ticket kickoff media event was held May 19 in front of a control tower at Atlanta International Airport. "You listen to your flight attendant's instructions to buckle-up on holiday take-offs and landings," said GOHS Director Bob Dallas. "So why would highway passengers even consider making a trip to the airport without buckling-up on the road?" NHTSA Senior Associate Administrator of Traffic Injury Control, Brian McLaughlin, was scheduled to speak, and reporters heard from a crash survivor who was "saved by the belt." The CIOT initiative was also promoted at 16 regional news conferences, where police, deputies and state troopers discussed both daytime and nighttime seat belt law enforcement. Paid media strategy included statewide ads on broadcast radio, TV, cable and Hispanic media, with additional paid messaging at Turner Stadium during Braves' games and free messaging on state DOT digital highway message boards. More than 500 law enforcement agencies participated in this Memorial Day holiday enforcement campaign. Georgia's safety belt use is rated at 89%, the highest in the southeast. Guam—Guam planned a variety of efforts to convince its motorists to buckle up. It aired Click It or Ticket messages, including free public service announcements and other PSAs, on television and various radio stations. Messages were also placed on billboards and changeable message signs, and radio and television talk shows were recorded and aired during the mobilization. Guam's Law Enforcement Agencies conducted high visibility enforcement and worked hundreds of hours of overtime conducting saturation patrols and checkpoints to increase public awareness of the importance of wearing seatbelts and using child restraint systems. Hawaii—The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and all four county police departments participated in the 2008 Click It Or Ticket mobilization. High visibility enforcement was conducted in all four counties and was publicized through a statewide media campaign that included movie theatre advertising. HDOT also distributed CIOT posters and banners statewide and used variable message boards to remind drivers about the mobilization. Indiana—Indiana's Click It or Ticket campaign kicked off on May 15 with a media event at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Law enforcement officers were joined by Indy Car driver Sarah Fisher and NHTSA Senior Associate Administrator of Traffic Injury Control Brian McLaughlin to remind Hoosier motorists to buckle up behind the wheel–no matter how they choose to travel. Law Enforcement Liaisons spearheaded a unique initiative to raise awareness about the importance of seat belt use. Through the RACE (Reducing Auto Crashes Through Corridor Enforcement) U.S. 40 mobilization, officers from 19 agencies participated in a coordinated effort to specifically target unrestrained motorists traveling Indiana Highway U.S. 40 between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Iowa—Iowa local, county and state law enforcement joined hundreds of other law enforcement agencies across the country in renewing a pledge to save lives by intensifying seat belt enforcement around the clock during the 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization. Extended hours helped officers focus on all unbuckled motorists–day and night. The annual Operation TNT Corridor Event (Highways 2, 92 and 34) was May 29, concentrating enforcement on the southern third of the state. Click It or Ticket messages were displayed across the state on DOT message boards. Campaign information and the lifesaving benefits of wearing a seat belt is available on the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau website at www.dps.state.ia.us/commis/gtsb/GTSBsTEP.shtml#CIOT. Kansas—A media event was held in Wichita on May 15. The Bureau of Traffic Safety hosted, and speakers included a NHTSA representative, the Colonel of the Kansas Highway Patrol, Chief of the Wichita PD, and a Sgt. with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office (Wichita) who was saved by her belt. The media adisory included pictures of her car. More than 130 Kansas law enforcement agencies participated in CIOT. Kansas planned $200,000 in paid media (TV and radio) during the mobilization, utilizing state-produced CIOT ads. A media release and a letter to the editor were submitted to all daily papers. The Kansas DOT used portable message boards throughout the state to share the buckle up message, as did the KC Scout Intelligent Transportation System in the Kansas City metro area. Louisiana—The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is dedicated to increasing enforcement efforts, raising awareness of the primary belt law, and supporting education and information outreach efforts. The 2008 combined campaign joined more than 40 law enforcement agencies, several Safe Communities and multiple education programs to provide comprehensive coverage throughout the state. The primary Click It Or Ticket message was supplemented by a back seat educational and awareness message, coinciding with an effort to change the state's primary belt law to include back seat passengers. Louisiana is optimistic that the ongoing efforts of the campaign will continue to improve seat belt usage. Maine—More than 60 municipal police departments, 10 county sheriffs’ offices, and the Maine State Police participated in Maine’s Buckle Up. No Excuses! campaign, which ran in conjunction with the national Click it or Ticket mobilization. This year brought a heightened awareness to the campaign and enforcement efforts, as Maine’s new primary belt law went into effect April 1. The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety funded numerous television and radio commercials to alert drivers about the enforcement efforts. Electronic message signs were also posted on the highways. Maryland—More than 120 Maryland law enforcement agencies participated in an intense month of occupant protection programs, such as stepped-up enforcement (including nighttime enforcement) and community outreach. Media air buys augmented the national Click it or Ticket airtime. The target demographics were pickup truck drivers, urban audiences and Maryland's Hispanic population. Partnerships were secured with local radio stations, outdoor media venues and traffic sponsorship networks. Some stations held contests to give away donated prizes, including a trip to Dover Speedway in Delaware for the June NASCAR race, an all-expenses-paid trip to the BET Awards in Los Angeles, and even a pickup truck. Training and media events took place the week of May 19: an event at the Delmarva Shorebird's stadium; press ride-alongs with officers conducting night time enforcement operations; and two large-scale training events. Massachusetts—The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) conducted its mobilization May 14 to June 4. With $1.3 million in federal funds, the EOPSS coordinated stepped-up traffic enforcement, a public information campaign and community outreach to reduce motor vehicle-related fatalities, injuries and economic loss. The State Police and more than 240 local police departments used grant funds to conduct additional high-visibility traffic enforcement. News of this enforcement, and the dangers of non-belt use, was highlighted statewide through TV, radio, billboard and sport venue advertising as well as earned media efforts. Secondary messaging highlighted a new Massachusetts booster seat requirement going into effect July 10. Transportation agencies displayed Click It or Ticket messages on nearly 100 fixed and portable variable message boards, and letters were sent to enlist school support for the mobilization, including using Click It or Ticket homeroom announcements. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/highwaysafety. Michigan—Nearly 800 seat belt enforcement zones were planned for the annual two-week seat belt mobilization in Michigan. Federal traffic safety funds allowed special extra patrols by 243 local police departments and sheriff's offices as well as the Michigan Department of State Police. A portion of the enforcement took place during late night hours to encourage motorists to buckle up around the clock. Minnesota—In Minnesota this year, Click It or Ticket went high-tech: teens were recruited to send out blast "Buckle Up" text messages. "Teen Online Belt Squads" also shared seat belt TV PSA and the Click It or Ticket message with friends on their MySpace and facebook pages. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) mailed postcards to teens in the counties with high numbers of unbelted teen deaths. The postcard directed teens to rockthebelt.org to take a driver's survey and get free music downloads. DPS also coordinated a statewide media buy, spreading the word through TV/cable, radio, gas pumps, websites and theaters. Law enforcement partners had "Buckle Up" banners and window clings to distribute to businesses in their communities. White Castle, Fleet Farm, and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities were just some of the partners helping to promote the enforcement. Variable message signs displayed "Buckle Up" reminders to freeway motorists. A kickoff news conference was held the week of May 12. Midway through enforcement, nighttime ride-alongs were offered to media to help sustain the message. Missouri—Missouri had a variety of activities planned to promote Click It or Ticket. Radio and television messages were played around the state. While some of these ads involved all drivers, others focused specifically on pickup truck drivers. The Missouri State Highway Patrol produced a pickup truck television spot with their local PI officers. The state also used "Buckle Up in Your Truck" ads from 2007, radio spots from NHTSA, and "Buckle Up in Your Truck" and NHTSA posters. On May 21, a statewide press conference took place in St. Louis. The highway safety office requested MoDOT message boards display CIOT messages. All available ads are posted on saveMOlives.com; other materials are available on the Click It or Ticket page in the Programs section of the site. Montana—In 2008, Montana's mobilization highlighted a powerful video called "Room to Live" that emphasizes the life-saving qualities of the safety cage-an integral design feature of the modern vehicle-WHEN used in conjunction with seat belts. The clip being used focused on one Montana family's loss of a loved one due to not using a seat belt. Over 3,000 copies of this video have been distributed to throughout the state to law enforcement, driver education programs, media outlets and other safety advocates. The clip was featured center-stage on the Montana DOT's website at www.mdt.mt.gov. Rather than holding a traditional press conference, the "Room to Live" video clip was shared through viral messaging. Mobilization also included over 1,000 hours of high-visibility law enforcement overtime traffic patrols. Public awareness of enforcement efforts were promoted through an aggressive media campaign that included over 6,000 radio spots and over 1,000 television spots on major networks. Nebraska—In Nebraska, special enforcement grants were awarded to 54 law enforcement agencies across the state. These agencies represent 84% of Nebraska's law enforcement personnel. Officers provided over 12,500 addition CIOT enforcement operation hours between May 19 and June1. Many of these agencies hosted local kickoff media efforts combined with multimedia campaign announcements. New Jersey—New Jersey's 500 law enforcement agencies joined forces in support of the 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization. The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety awarded grants to 210 police agencies for overtime seat belt enforcement. The other police agencies participated with their own resources. During the 2007 mobilization, 100% participation was achieved–every law enforcement agency took part in Click It or Ticket. As a result, New Jersey's seat belt usage rate rose for the eleventh consecutive year, to 91.4%. State officials and law enforcement will not rest until New Jersey achieves a 100% compliance rate. Media activities for the 2008 campaign included fixed seat belt checkpoints in each of the state's three regions (north, central, and south) during the first two days of the campaign. State officials also took park in a Tri-State Click It or Ticket kickoff event in Times Square on the evening of May 19. New Mexico—New Mexico wants its citizens to understand that buckling up saves lives. Throughout the Click It or Ticket campaign, New Mexico used around-the-clock seat belt enforcement in hopes of increasing the current 91.5 percent rate of observed drivers and passengers who use their seat belts. NMDOT Traffic Safety Bureau (TSB) emphasized nighttime seat belt enforcement because statistics show seat belt usage goes down at night. Local, county and state agencies all took part in the mobilization to make New Mexico roads safer during this campaign, with a goal of carrying that forward through the year. NMDOT TSB sponsored television and radio spots to educate the public that two points will be added to their license for violating New Mexico's primary seat belt law. New Mexico also used billboards throughout the state proclaiming "Wear it day or night. CIOT." New York—The State of New York hosted two large scale press events: one in the capital Albany and the other in New York City. The May 14 Albany event featured Commissioner of Motor Vehicles David Swarts and NHTSA's Chief of Staff David Kelley. The newly appointed Superintendent of the New York State Police, Harry Corbitt, was also expected to attend. A huge inflatable gorilla wearing a seatbelt was displayed, and "Buckle-Up" tee shirts compressed into hockey puck-sized shapes were tossed to attendees. A NTHSA-sponsored event took place on the evening of May 19 in Times Square, highlighting the importance of wearing seatbelts at night. Invited speakers included NHTSA Region 2 Administrator Tom Louizou; Commissioner Swarts; NYPD Chief Michael Scagnelli; a crash victim; and representatives from the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut State Police forces. North Carolina—The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) celebrated the 15th anniversary of Click It or Ticket in North Carolina. GHSP hosted three events to mark the occasion. First, a kickoff event was held on May 19 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte. The next two events were held in Greensboro and in Wilmington aboard the USS North Carolina. GHSP partnered with several sports organizations in North Carolina, including: the National Hockey League Carolina Hurricanes; Lowe’s Motor Speedway; all four North Carolina ACC basketball teams; and all 10 minor league baseball teams in North Carolina. These partnerships promote the Click It or Ticket message to the millions of sports fans in attendance throughout the year. North Dakota—The North Dakota DOT's Office of Traffic Safety worked with state and local law enforcement agencies, Safe Communities programs, and public information consultants to spread the message: “Stay Inside to Survive!” Law enforcement agencies worked overtime. Local Safe Communities programs conducted earned media events, including: a news conference with a North Dakota-born World of Outlaws race car driver who signs seat belt pledges with young fans; law enforcement appreciation events; community events with seat belt convincers, rollover, and crashed vehicle displays; radio and TV talk shows; Vince and Larry activities; banners; PSAs, and more. The state used paid media to place the enforcement message on TV, radio, billboards, and online, through email distribution lists and electronic posters on partner websites. CIOT toolkits–including posters; banners; a memo soliciting support; samples of audio announcements, in-kind print, and online advertisement copy; and talking points–were distributed to partners such as public access channels, the North Dakota Newspaper Association, the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association, the North Dakota Grocers Association, Simonson gas stations, military bases, and the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks baseball team. Ohio—The Click It or Ticket message was spread throughout the state by approximately 30 Safe Communities organizations and more than 900 local law enforcement partners. Ohio participated in local, county and state events with West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky. Ohio Department of Public Safety's assistant director attended a kickoff event in the Cleveland area. Highway safety partners displayed banners, yard signs and posters in high visibility locations and distributed more than 25,000 Click it or Ticket magnets for vehicles and other high visibility locations around the state. More than 20 local events were planned throughout the state. A paid media buy included television, radio, and other targeted outlets such as bus shelters and movie theaters, to hit more rural areas. Ohio also coordinated an earned media effort with a press release and other materials and placed a Click it or Ticket link from the Governor's Highway Safety Office website. Oklahoma—The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office funded special traffic enforcement projects in support of the Click It or Ticket mobilization. Law enforcement officers worked hundreds of hours of overtime conducting special patrols and checkpoints to enforce the state’s mandatory seat belt law. Oklahoma aired extensive television, radio and billboard ads alerting motorists about the stepped-up enforcement. The Oklahoma DOT assisted in the effort: message signs publicized the enforcement on the state’s busiest highways. In 2008, Oklahoma added a new teen component targeting young drivers, ages 15-17. To reach Hispanic Oklahomans, the Highway Safety Office also developed campaign elements in Spanish. The campaign kicked off with an exciting and informative mobilization breakfast event, May 14 in Oklahoma City. Oregon—Twenty-seven Sheriff’s Offices, 63 municipal police departments and 16 Oregon State Police Commands participated in the 2008 Click It or Ticket campaign–one of three annual statewide safety belt overtime saturations. These agencies focused on enforcing “proper use” requirements of Oregon's safety belt and child restraint laws. They also educated drivers regarding upgraded child seat/booster laws and extension of restraint laws to commercial vehicles. Overtime funding and media support in the form of CIOT roadway signs, a statewide press release, and new radio and television PSAs (highlighting age and height requirements of the new booster law) were provided by Oregon Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Office. Pennsylvania—The Spring 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization brought together "Buckle Up Pennsylvania"–454 municipal police departments and every troop of the Pennsylvania State Police– to increase the state's seat belt usage rate. Departments were encouraged to focus extra efforts on the four demographic groups that lag behind the rest of the state in seat belt use: young adults, males ages 18-34, pickup truck/service vehicle occupants and nighttime occupants. Governor Rendell proclaimed May 12 Buckle Up Pennsylvania Day to kick off the activities. Extensive paid media, earned media and public awareness campaigns were planned to complement the mobilization. For more information, visit www.buckleuppa.org. Puerto Rico—State Police and over 45 municipal law enforcement agencies across the island participated in the CIOT mobilization, working thousands of overtime hours, conducting special patrols and expanding nighttime enforcement funded by the Puerto Rico Traffic Safety Commission (PRTSC). The enforcement efforts were complemented with a public information campaign involving radio/TV spots and print ads carrying the message "De Día y De Noche, Si No Te Amarras, Pagas." A two-week media tour followed Puerto Rico Governor, Hon. Aníbal Acevedo-Vila's launch of the campaign on May 14. In addition, the PRTSC executive director sent over 300 letters to city mayors, public agency executives, TV station managers and cellular phone company officers, among others, encouraging them to share the message with their employees and clients. At the end of the month, Puerto Rico's First Lady spoke at the Seat Belt Honor Roll Award Ceremony, recognizing public and private entities that promote use of seat belt in their organizations. Rhode Island—The Rhode Island Office of Highway Safety (OHS) funded overtime seatbelt enforcement across the state. To publicize the crackdown, Rhode Island aired the national NHTSA media spots on cable, broadcast television, radio and Hispanic media. Hosted by the Rhode Island State Police, the campaign kickoff was May 19 and included a demonstration of a new Rollover Simulator. Invited kickoff speakers were the Governor, senior NHTSA staff, RI DOT Director Michael Lewis, and Warwick Chief of Police and President of the RI Police Chiefs Association, Colonel Steven McCartney. Dr. Jon Philip Bas, a primary care physician who focuses on men’s health and counsels seat belt use to his patients, took questions from the media. South Carolina—South Carolina's 2008 statewide occupant protection mobilization was “Buckle up, South Carolina. It’s the law and it’s enforced.” The SC Office of Highway Safety (OHS) anticipated a media campaign in excess of $400,000 and requested the use of DOT variable message boards to promote the campaign. The state's Law Enforcement Network, comprised of more than 160 agencies, conducted integrated enforcement efforts throughout the mobilization, emphasizing occupant protection, speeding and impaired driving violations. Agencies also set up saturation patrols in designated high crash corridors. OHS held a kickoff press event May 16 at the SC Department of Public Safety headquarters, focusing on the three stages of a traffic crash. The event also featured the paid media spots that ran throughout the campaign, one of which was a revival of South Carolina’s highly successful “Highways or Dieways” media campaign effort. Local law enforcement agencies held similarly themed press events. Tennessee—More than 250 law enforcement agencies across the state conducted DUI checkpoints from May 18 through June 1. During this period, Tennessee held "Hands Across The Border" events that featured multi-agency checkpoints and press events with border states. Tennessee also ran the Click It or Ticket campaign message through television and radio advertising, and interstate digital messaging boards displayed the Click It or Ticket message during the Memorial Day Holiday. Texas—Texas launched its most aggressive Click It or Ticket campaign to date. Law enforcement across the state embraced the campaign. TxDOT funded enforcement for about 177 agencies; hundreds of others participated with their own funding. An equipment/training incentive program provided grants to 20 agencies for participating in the campaign and reporting their enforcement efforts. Thousands of TV and radio public service announcements (PSAs) reminded motorists to buckle up. Moviegoers saw a one-minute CIOT PSA. Billboards, gas pump toppers, cabs, delivery trucks, and even concrete trucks (Austin area) all displayed the message, which was also promoted online. Approximately 15 press events were expected; several press releases were scheduled; and a video news release was distributed statewide, highlighting a special effort to showcase the CIOT message at Texas landmarks. TxDOT displayed "Buckle Up In Your Truck" and "Click It or Ticket (Fines up to $200)" messages on its dynamic message signs. Outreach efforts, including child passenger safety checkup events, working with sports arenas, heath fairs, and schools were also planned. Texas campaign materials and PSAs are at www.TxDOT.gov. Utah—Click It Or Ticket kicked off in Utah on May 20 with a press event held at Lagoon Park, a popular regional amusement park. The kickoff included saturation patrols and featured opportunities for the media to ride with an officer. More than 60 law enforcement agencies participated in enforcement mobilization, and nighttime enforcement was conducted in three of the larger jurisdictions. The kickoff coincided with High School Week at Lagoon, offering a unique opportunity to reach high school-aged teens. In addition to occupant protection, messages on other teen driver safety issues were placed throughout the park. Vermont—Vermont's Governor's Highway Safety Program awarded $100,000 in local police agency grants for 3,000 hours of localized enforcement. It also dedicated more than $250,000 to roaming task forces of highly motivated officers, who traveled to areas of low safety belt use to bring high-visibility enforcement to where it is needed most. An additional $170,000 was dedicated to paid media. Vermont worked on earned media with many partners, including: Thunder Road Speedbowl, Bond Auto, Chittenden Bank, American Red Cross, Clear Channel Radio, Lake Monsters professional baseball team, Voltage professional soccer team, and Vermont rest areas. Having achieved 87% seat belt use last year, $3.7 million was on the line if the state is able to reach or exceed 85% this year. (A pre-mobilization survey showed 82% seat belt use.) State government leaders (Secretary of Transportation, Commissioners of Public Safety, Health and Motor Vehicles, and the Office of EMS and Injury Prevention) also participated in media interviews and talk shows to raise awareness. U.S. Virgin Islands—The Office of Highway Safety joined forces with the Traffic Bureau of the Virgin Islands Police Department; the Department of Health's EMS Division; private sector businesses; as well as government agencies and high schools to conduct a variety of initiatives for the national Click it or Ticket campaign. A kickoff press conference was held with the Police Commissioner, the Assistant Commissioner, and the Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs and Traffic Commanders of the Virgin Islands Police Department. Daytime and nighttime enforcement ran May 19 through June 1. The Chiefs of Police recorded Click it or Ticket public service announcements. Private sector businesses and the government's payroll department inscribed the message Click it or Ticket, Safety Belts Save Lives message on employee pay stubs. Territory high schools spread the word daily through their public address systems. Also, the Office of Highway Safety, in conjunction with the EMS Division, hosted a Flag & Drag Child Safety Seat Program. Virginia—Click It or Ticket Virginia had several exciting events in 2008. Enforcement efforts began with the brand new TOPS (Traffic Occupant Protection Strategies). A large "Train the Trainer" class let law enforcement the be some of the first to receive the curriculum and share the information with their fellow officers. Midway through the mobilization, agencies joined forces along common state routes for the Click It or Ticket Blitz, which emphasized nighttime traffic enforcement and belt use. In addition to enforcement, over 300 state, local and military law enforcement agencies worked to promote the Virginia Highway Safety Office's large-scale media campaign in their own jurisdictions. Banners, yard signs, posters and billboards were posted all over the Commonwealth. Jurisdictional news conferences, high school events, child safety seat checks and variable message boards were used to spread the word about the importance of seat belt use. Media placed the Click It or Ticket logo on their websites, linking to seat belt tips on the Virginia Highway Safety Office website. Washington—Police, sheriff and State Patrol officers throughout Washington State conducted seat belt patrols at night. The nighttime death rate is four times higher than the daytime rate, and seat belt use at night is about six percentage points lower. The aim of the project was to improve seat belt use, maintain good daytime seat belt use rates and reduce vehicle occupant deaths. Two previous nighttime seat belt-focused mobilizations netted seat belt law violators, along with numerous other risky drivers, including impaired drivers. The mobilization was publicized through radio and television ads and variable message road signs visible from more than 150 freeways and highways throughout the state. West Virginia—West Virginia participated in the Click It or Ticket campaign May 19-June 1. Paid media, including radio and television, ran throughout the campaign. Law enforcement promoted the message by enforcing the seat belt law during routine traffic stops–day and night. Billboards were up across the state for the month of May, and eight regional coordinators in the state worked to generate earned media through localized educational events. Interstate message boards will also be displaying the Click It or Ticket message. The WV Division of Highways also supported the Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s efforts by running the “Highways or Dieways” campaign during the same time as Click It or Ticket. The GHSP hopes that these two television spots combined, coupled with radio, billboards, and the hard work of law enforcement will save lives. Wisconsin—More than 300 law enforcement agencies mobilized for Click It or Ticket from May 19 to June 1. 2008's Click It or Ticket was the largest coordinated law enforcement mobilization in Wisconsin history. State troopers, sheriff's deputies and police officers patrolled in greater numbers and for longer hours to enforce the state's mandatory safety belt law. Their efforts were backed by a media campaign to remind drivers that they must buckle up every trip-day or night-not only to avoid a ticket, but also to protect themselves and their passengers from serious injury or death. With three out of four people buckling up, safety belt use in Wisconsin is at an all-time high. However, Wisconsin's 75 percent safety belt use rate still lags well behind the national average of 82 percent.
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Projects & Activities

Click It or Ticket

2008 Mobilization

May 19 - June 1