TxDOT launches teen focused challenge to promote seat belt safety across Texas schools
Austin, Texas – A new safety campaign in Texas is urging teens to rethink risky habits behind the wheel and make seat belt use a daily routine rather than an afterthought. The message is direct and urgent: “Skipping seat belts isn’t a flex—it’s a deadly risk.” Through the new “Saved by the Belt” competition, state leaders and educators are challenging students to buckle up every time they ride in a vehicle.
The Texas Department of Transportation and the University Interscholastic League have joined forces to encourage high school students to pledge to wear a seat belt on every trip and to drive responsibly. The initiative promotes a culture of safe driving while reminding young motorists to be kind, courteous, and careful on the road.
A Concerning Trend Among Young Drivers
Safety officials say the campaign comes at a critical time. Teens and young adults ages 15 to 20 represent nearly 9 percent of Texas’ population, yet they were involved in 19 percent of all motor vehicle crashes in 2024. Among the most heartbreaking figures is the number of young lives lost: 132 youths killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts.
“Teens will shape our communities for years to come, but the simple choice to buckle up—or not—can be the difference between a bright future or a young life cut short,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “By instilling these habits now, we can help the next generation of Texas drivers make safe driving decisions for the rest of their lives.”
A Statewide Challenge With Real Rewards
The partnership is part of TxDOT’s annual teen-focused Click It or Ticket campaign. More than 1,500 high schools across Texas have been invited to take part in the “Saved by the Belt” challenge. Students can visit TexasFootball.com through Feb. 27 to pledge that they will buckle up every time they get into a vehicle. The school that secures the highest number of pledges will receive a $5,000 grand prize from the UIL.
Beyond the competition, officials emphasize that the real reward is safety. Seat belts remain the most effective protection in a crash. Without one, a person can be ejected from the vehicle or thrown into other passengers, greatly increasing the risk of serious injury or death. Wearing a seat belt protects both the individual and everyone else inside the vehicle.
Although the challenge focuses on teens and young adults, the reminder applies to all motorists. Texas law requires drivers and passengers in every seat to wear a seat belt. Those who fail to buckle up — even in the back seat — may face fines and court costs of up to $200.
Through education, competition, and community engagement, the campaign aims to create habits that save lives and ensure young Texans travel safely for years to come.
