VIDEO: Alexa Johnson’s Story

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched this year’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign aimed at encouraging seat belt use.

More than 10,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide are participating in the campaign, which extends through May 31. In addition to stepped-up enforcement of seat belt laws, this year’s effort includes paid advertising to raise public awareness of how seat belts save lives.

During NHTSA’s “Click It or Ticket” press conference May 19 in Washington, D.C., members of the Johnson family from Loveland, Colo., shared the tragic story of losing teenage daughter Alexa. Her life could have been spared had she worn her seat belt. 

According to NHTSA’s data, in 2013, seat belts saved an estimated 12,584 lives among passenger vehicle occupants five years and older. Historically, seat belts saved nearly 62,468 lives from 2009 to 2013.

“The annual ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign is built on a proven formula of safety education, strong laws and vigorous enforcement,” said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind.

Like NHTSA, some state departments of transportation are also raising public awareness by telling personal stories. The Texas Department of Transportation, for example, has kicked off a public service campaign in which state law enforcement officers explain why they issue tickets for seat belt violations.