The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is joining a nationwide effort to remind drivers and passengers: Buckle up every trip, every time. From May 18 to May 31, 2026, CHP officers will increase enforcement as part of the national Click It or Ticket campaign, targeting unbuckled drivers and passengers.
This high-visibility mobilization coincides with the busy Memorial Day travel period, when roads see more families heading out for holidays and summer trips. The message is simple yet life-saving: seat belts save lives, and failing to wear one can result in fines and serious consequences.
Why Click It or Ticket Matters in California
California law requires all occupants - drivers, front-seat passengers, and rear-seat passengers—to wear seat belts properly. CHP and local agencies will actively patrol highways and roads day and night, issuing citations to those not buckled up.
Fines in California:
- Adult seat belt violation: $162
- Failure to properly restrain a child under 16: Up to $490 (driver cited if parent/guardian is absent)
These enforcement actions aim not just to issue tickets but to change behavior and reduce preventable deaths.
Alarming Seat Belt Safety Statistics
Even with high national awareness, many drivers still skip this basic safety step:
- National seat belt use rate in 2024: 91%
- In 2024, 9,758 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts
- Nearly 48-50% of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities involved unbuckled individuals
- Among young adults (18–34) killed in crashes, 59% were unbuckled — one of the highest rates across age groups
- Seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by about 45% for front-seat passengers
Nighttime driving is particularly dangerous for unbuckled occupants, with over half of nighttime crash fatalities involving unrestrained people. Rural areas and pickup truck occupants also show lower belt-use rates.
Seat belts have saved an estimated 374,000+ lives since 1975, with nearly 15,000 lives saved in a single recent year.
How to Buckle Up the Right Way
Proper use maximizes protection:
- Lap belt low across hips (not stomach)
- Shoulder belt across chest and middle of shoulder (not neck or under arm)
- Never twist the belt or place it behind your back
- Ensure children are in age-appropriate car seats or boosters
Parents: Your kids are watching. Children whose caregivers buckle up are far more likely to do the same.
California’s Progress and Ongoing Need
Since “Click It or Ticket” launched in California in 2005, the state’s seat belt usage rate has climbed significantly (reaching 95.9% in later reports). Yet there is still room for improvement to protect every road user.
The campaign, coordinated with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), emphasizes that enforcement combined with education saves lives.
- Tips for Safe Memorial Day Travel
- Buckle up before you start the engine — every single trip.
- Secure children and pets properly.
- Avoid distractions, speeding, and impaired driving.
- Plan rest stops on long drives.
- Check tire pressure, fluids, and vehicle safety features.
It takes just two seconds to click your seat belt. Those two seconds could be the difference between life and death in a crash. Don’t risk it — Click It.
The CHP and law enforcement partners are out in force through May 31. Drive safely, stay alert, and always buckle up.
Stay safe out there — your seat belt is your first line of defense.
