Texas – Skipping a seat belt might not seem like a big deal to some teens, but state leaders say the consequences can be deadly.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is teaming up with the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to launch a statewide seat belt challenge aimed at high school students across Texas.
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The campaign, called “Saved by the Belt,” encourages teens to commit to wearing a seat belt “for every seat, every ride.”
Why this matters
State data shows teens are disproportionately involved in crashes.
According to TxDOT, teens and young adults ages 15–20 make up nearly 9% of the Texas population, yet they were involved in 19% of all traffic crashes in the state in 2024.
Even more troubling, 132 young people killed in Texas traffic crashes in 2024 were not wearing a seat belt.
“Texas teens have big dreams for the future. Buckling up can help ensure they’re around to make them come true,” said TxDOT spokesperson Monica O’Kane.
O’Kane emphasized that seat belts are the single best protection in a crash.
“Wearing a seatbelt is the best protection against injury or death in the event of a crash. It’s terrible to think that a bright future could be cut short because a young person wasn’t buckled up,” she added, “A simple click could have prevented tragedy.”
Nighttime crashes especially dangerous
TxDOT data shows that 61% of fatal traffic crashes in Texas in 2024 involving young people ages 15–20 occurred at night between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.
O’Kane noted that seatbelt use tends to be lower at night, making those hours particularly hazardous.
Motor vehicle crashes are also a leading cause of death among teens, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
What the “Saved by the Belt” challenge involves
As part of TxDOT’s annual teen-focused Click It or Ticket campaign, more than 1,500 high schools across Texas have been invited to participate in the “Saved by the Belt” competition.
Here’s how it works:
- The contest began Feb. 2 and runs through Feb. 27.
- High school students can go to TexasFootball.com to take a pledge to buckle up every time they get in a vehicle.
- The high school with the most student pledges will win a $5,000 grand prize, provided by the UIL, to support student participation in UIL activities.
“This month, TxDOT is partnering with the University Interscholastic League on a statewide contest to encourage high school students to always wear their seatbelt,” O’Kane said.
In addition to the contest, TxDOT says it is sharing buckle-up messaging with teens and young adults through digital and social media platforms.
More than just a contest
TxDOT officials stress that the real goal isn’t the prize — it’s saving lives.
“If you’re not buckled up, you could be ejected from your vehicle or thrown into other passengers during a crash, risking injury to yourself and others,” O’Kane said.
She also reminded drivers that airbags alone are not enough.
“Airbags are intended to work with seatbelts, not replace them.”
Under Texas law, all drivers and passengers, including those in the back seat are required to wear a seat belt. Those who don’t can face fines and court costs of up to $200.
“Our primary concern is saving lives, but we also want to remind young people that they can get a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt, whether they’re the driver or a passenger in the front or back seat,” O’Kane said.
A broader message: Drive like a Texan
The campaign is part of TxDOT’s broader “Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe.” initiative, which encourages drivers to look out for one another on Texas roads.
“By instilling these habits now, we can help the next generation of Texas drivers make safe driving decisions for the rest of their lives,” O’Kane said.
For teens across Texas, state leaders say it comes down to a simple action that could make all the difference.