Oklahoma – The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) launched a statewide safety campaign Thursday aimed at increasing seat belt use across the state. The campaign, titled “Never Skip the Click,”will begin on Labor Day and continue throughout September.
Officials said the effort comes in response to Oklahoma’s low seat belt usage rate of 86 percent, which falls below the national average of 91 percent. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranked Oklahoma 44th in the nation for seat belt use in 2023.
Males aged 16 and older were identified as being at particular risk, especially in rural areas where seat belt use can drop to 77 percent.
“Seat belts save lives, and our new ‘Never Skip the Click’ campaign is about turning that one small action into a habit,” said ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz. “Nearly half of all fatal crashes involve someone not buckled up, and we can change that with two seconds and one click.”
The campaign’s goal is to reshape the culture around seat belt safety, making the practice second nature. “This campaign isn’t about rules or lectures. It’s about real people turning a simple action into a habitual practice that could save their lives,” said Roger Straka, an ODOT employee and campaign spokesperson.
The initiative will use peer-driven messaging to connect with Oklahomans in their daily lives, including outreach through schools, classroom kits, and social media challenges such as #ClickCheck. Highway signs across the state will also feature the message each Wednesday in September.
OTA Executive Director Joe Echelle stressed the importance of seat belts on high-speed roads. “Crashes can happen in an instant and that one click can be the difference between walking away or not making it home,” he said.
ODOT and OTA are working with public safety partners and community advocates to distribute campaign materials, with the goal of making seat belt use a consistent and life-saving habit for all Oklahomans.
Oklahoma launches ‘Never Skip the Click’ campaign to boost seat belt use statewide
