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Governor’s Highway Safety Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary of "Click It or Ticket"

Posted 5/17/2013 10:54:58 PM

RALEIGH – The state of North Carolina was not just First in Flight. It was also the first state in the nation to launch an innovative seat belt safety awareness campaign called “Click It or Ticket.” Starting Monday, May 20, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program will celebrate the campaign’s 20th anniversary.   “We’re proud of the hard work we’ve put into making this campaign a model adopted today by every state in the country,” said N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Tony Tata. “We know the impact of “Click It or Ticket” is far reaching – saving countless lives not just in North Carolina but nationwide.”   Since the Governor’s Highway Safety Program launched “Click It or Ticket” in 1993, the number of reported crashes, fatalities and injuries involving unbelted passengers has dropped dramatically in North Carolina. Law enforcement officers responded to 38,289 crashes involving unbelted passengers in 1992, the year before the campaign started. By 2012, the totals dropped to 8,187.    “We credit the effectiveness of our “Click It or Ticket” campaign for dramatically reducing the number of crashes involving people who didn’t buckle up,” said Don Nail, interim director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “But, there are still North Carolinians who don’t wear their seat belt when they get behind the wheel. Until every person in our state abides by the law, we’ll continue to lead the way in seat belt safety awareness.”                                                                                                             The “Click It or Ticket” campaign runs through the Memorial Day holiday weekend and ends on June 2. During that time, law enforcement officers will step up patrols statewide and cite those who do not buckle up.   NCDOT produced a public service announcement to remind drivers and passengers that wearing a seat belt during a crash not only reduces your chances of suffering critical injuries or even death by 50 percent, but will also save you $161 in fines if you are caught without your seat belt fastened.   In addition to enforcement efforts, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program will hold regional anniversary events in Elizabeth City, Clyde and High Point next week to retrace the historic first steps of the “Click It or Ticket” campaign.   ***NCDOT*** Image of an officer conducting a seat belt inspection during a "Click It or Ticket" campaign

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"Click It or Ticket" Campaign Now Under Way in North Carolina

Posted 5/20/2013 12:02:27 PM

Help spread awareness about seat belt safety by snapping and sharing a "#SafetySelfie" RALEIGH – The Governor’s Highway Safety Program today officially launched its Memorial Day "Click It or Ticket" campaign, marking 20 years of seat belt safety awareness efforts that have saved countless lives. To honor this milestone and show support for the cause, GHSP is asking North Carolinians to get out their cell phone cameras, snap a self-portrait of them buckled up while parked and share it on social media, using the hashtag, "#SafetySelfie." "As the state that started "Click It or Ticket" two decades ago, we're known for finding unique ways to encourage people to fasten their seat belts," said Don Nail, interim director of GHSP. “The ‘#SafetySelfie’ is just one more example of our innovative approach to changing motorists' behavior for the better. By harnessing the power of social media, we hope to convince the small percentage of people who aren't buckling their seat belts that it's the right thing to do." The process is easy and takes less than a minute to complete. With your vehicle in a parked position, activate your cell phone camera and take a picture showing your seat belt buckled securely. Then, share the photo with your friends, family and co-workers via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest with the hashtag, "#SafetySelfie." GHSP also encourages you to add comments urging others to follow your example and fasten their seat belts before putting the vehicle in drive.  "This is about saving lives and spreading the word that seat belts should be second nature every time you step into a car,” said Cris Mulder, Deputy Secretary for Communication at the N.C. Department of Transportation. "That’s a safety message that starts early and can’t be repeated enough. The ‘#SafetySelfie’ is a fun and engaging way to get everyone involved in driving the message home through social media, a method we know will make an impact.” GHSP hopes the “#SafetySelfie" will become a phenomenon that lasts long past this “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which ends on June 2.    In the 20 years since “Click It or Ticket” began, the number of reported crashes, fatalities and injuries involving unbelted passengers has dropped dramatically across the state and nationwide. North Carolina law enforcement officers responded to 38,289 crashes involving unbelted passengers in 1992, the year before the campaign started. By 2012, the totals dropped to 8,187 crashes. NCDOT produced a public service announcement to remind drivers and passengers that wearing a seat belt during a crash not only reduces your chances of suffering critical injuries or even death by 50 percent, but will also save you $161 in fines if you are caught without your seat belt fastened. To watch, click here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WshDdbZvAz0. In addition to social media and enforcement efforts, GHSP will hold regional anniversary events in Raleigh, Elizabeth City, Clyde and High Point to retrace the historic first steps of the “Click It or Ticket” campaign.  ***NCDOT***

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14,542 Motorists Cited for Speeding During “No Need 2 Speed” Campaign

Posted 4/11/2013 9:06:59 PM

RALEIGH — A total of 42,290 traffic and criminal citations were issued statewide during this year’s “No Need 2 Speed” campaign, which ran March 25-31.  Law enforcement officers from across the state partnered with the Governor’s Highway Safety Program to increase enforcement in an effort to put a stop to one of the main causes of crashes and fatalities on North Carolina’s roads – speeding. “Law enforcement’s presence on our roads is imperative to reminding motorists to obey speed limits, and we greatly appreciate their dedication to keeping our roads safe,” said Becky Wallace, director of GHSP. Officers also issued 3,157 safety belt and 587 child passenger safety violations and 1,111 drug charges. In addition, they apprehended 929 fugitives from justice and recovered 51 stolen vehicles.   For county-by-county citation totals or more information about “No Need 2 Speed”, visit the Governor's Highway Safety Program website.     ***NCDOT***

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150 Speeders Cited in Wake County on First Day of “No Need 2 Speed” Campaign

Posted 3/26/2013 10:12:04 AM

RALEIGH – The Governor’s Highway Safety Program teamed up with local enforcement officers for two hours on Monday as part of the “No Need 2 Speed” campaign kickoff.  Officers cited 150 speeders using the LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging instrument) at three locations along I-40 in Wake County.   Positioned at bridges on Old Reedy Creek Road, Jones Sausage Road and Lake Wheeler Road over I-40, officers used the LIDAR to track speeders and communicate via radio to officers positioned along the interstate.  The highest speed clocked was 94 mph.   The following local law enforcement participated: Wendell, Zebulon, Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale, Garner, Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, NC State University and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.   Law enforcement officers will continue to conduct stepped up enforcement efforts for the “No Need 2 Speed” campaign through Sunday, March 31.   Speeding is one of the main causes of crashes and fatalities on North Carolina’s roads, and was a factor in 399 deaths last year.  Officers will focus their efforts on all roads, including interstates, major highways, rural two-lane roads and city streets across the state.   Dangerous driving can be reported to local law enforcement by dialing 911 from anywhere in the state.  For more information on “No Need 2 Speed,” visit the Governor's Highway Safety Program website.   ***NCDOT***

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Enforcement Campaign Nets 690 DWI Arrests From Across the State

Posted 3/22/2013 2:47:41 PM

  RALEIGH — Law enforcement officers increased patrols during the Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s St. Patrick’s Day “Booze It & Lose It” campaign and cited 690 motorists for driving while impaired.    “We hope to bring a clear message to motorists by increasing enforcement efforts – don’t drink and drive,” GHSP Director Becky Wallace said. “Always be responsible and choose a designated driver before you get behind the wheel.”   During the campaign, which ran March 15-17, officers statewide conducted 2,391 sobriety checkpoints and dedicated patrols. Counties with the highest number of DWI citations were Wake (54), Guilford (33) and Forsyth (31).   Officers also issued 1,458 safety belt and 258 child passenger safety violations, 5,842 speeding violations and 555 drug charges. In addition, they apprehended 407 fugitives from justice and recovered 9 stolen vehicles.   For more information regarding county-by-county citation totals or other “Booze It & Lose It” activities, visit the GHSP website.     ***NCDOT***

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