TxDOT and law enforcement launch new safety campaign to help reduce traffic deaths through increased seat belt use

Austin, Texas – As Texas roads get busier and summer travel ramps up, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in collaboration with law enforcement agencies statewide, is intensifying efforts to remind drivers and passengers that buckling up could mean the difference between life and death. Their annual Click It or Ticket campaign is underway, and one Texas deputy’s devastating crash is serving as a harsh reminder of what’s at stake.

Tragedy Changes a Life

In May 2023, Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Caleb Boyer was rushing to respond to an emergency call when he made a decision that would forever change his life. In the urgency of the moment, he didn’t fasten his seat belt. While trying to avoid a collision with a pickup truck towing an unlit trailer, Boyer’s patrol car veered off the road, launched into the air, and rolled twice. Because he was unrestrained, he was violently thrown from the vehicle.

The crash cost him his left leg and nearly his life. Now, Boyer speaks out about the importance of seat belts.

“This experience has definitely changed my perspective. No one is invincible,” Boyer said. “Now, every time I get in any vehicle, I always make sure to buckle up. And I’ve taught my 9-year-old son to do the same.”

Alarming Numbers Prompt Renewed Action

While many Texans do wear seat belts, data from 2024 shows that far too many lives are still lost simply because someone didn’t take a few seconds to buckle up. Last year, 1,069 people died in Texas traffic crashes without a seat belt. Nearly 60% of those fatalities happened at night.

“We all think a crash will never happen to us, but it can happen any time we get in a vehicle,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “A seat belt can save your life or prevent a serious injury, but only if you’re wearing it. Take those quick seconds to buckle your seat belt every time, day and night.”

Click It or Ticket Campaign Underway

From May 19 through June 1, TxDOT’s Click It or Ticket campaign will not only feature public service announcements and statewide outreach, but also a significant increase in law enforcement visibility. Officers will be focusing on identifying and ticketing anyone not wearing a seat belt or not securing children properly in car seats.

Under Texas law, all occupants in a vehicle must wear a seat belt. Those who don’t can face fines and court costs up to $200. Drivers can also face up to $250 in fines for children not properly restrained in a car seat or booster seat. Children under 8 years old must be in a safety or booster seat unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches.

Part of a Larger Safety Movement

The Click It or Ticket campaign is a central part of TxDOT’s broader Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe. initiative, which encourages drivers to take personal responsibility for safety and to treat fellow travelers with respect and care. The initiative highlights the deep pride Texans take in their communities and highways and asks them to extend that pride to safe driving choices.

For more details on seat belt safety and to explore the Drive like a Texan campaign, visit DriveLikeATexan.com.

With Deputy Boyer’s powerful story leading the conversation and more law enforcement presence on the roads, TxDOT hopes that every Texan will remember: a seat belt isn’t just a strap — it’s your best defense.