When you’re on the road, you hope everyone around you chooses to drive safely, but at the end of the day, the only person you can control is yourself. The best choice you can make is to buckle up when driving and ensure your passengers do the same.

Seat belts help prevent drivers and passengers from being dangerously ejected from their vehicles. Despite seat belts decreasing the risk of serious injury or death by nearly 50%, people still choose to leave their seat belts unbuckled.

Though this is a year-round concern, the holiday season from mid-November through New Year’s Day amplifies the need for safety reminders. To kick off this effort, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recognizes November 14 as National Seat Belt Day, followed up with a week-long seat belt campaign from November 22-30. During this time, FDOT’s aim is to remind all Florida drivers, front-seat passengers, and passengers under the age of 18 that it is the law to wear a seat belt. Not only can seat belts save your life, but buckling up can also prevent you from getting a ticket.

Between now and the new year, there will be a significant increase in the number of vehicles on the road. Many people have time off school or work and travel to visit friends and family during the holidays. With more vehicles on the road, the statistical risk of crashes increases. During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2023, there were 309 passenger-vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes across the nation, and 44% (135) were unrestrained, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Seat belts should be worn snugly across the lap and chest — two parts of your body better able to withstand the force of a crash. Never place the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arms, and make sure the belt does not rest against your neck. Children should be in the right car seat for their age and size. Choose to control what you can and buckle up. Every trip, every time.

Learn more about seat belt safety at fdot.gov/agencyresources/clickitorticket.