As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), together with the Connecticut State Police and local law enforcement agencies, is rolling out a bold new safety awareness campaign: Buckle Everyone. The campaign urges drivers to ensure that every passenger, in every seat, is properly buckled up, every trip.
This powerful new messaging effort launches in tandem with the national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign, which runs from Monday, May 12 through Sunday, June 1, 2025. Law enforcement across the state will be out in full force, cracking down on seat belt violations and helping reinforce the life-saving importance of buckling up, front and back.
In 2023, the last year of verifiable data, there were 10,484 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in the United States.
In Connecticut, unrestrained passenger fatalities are a concern. In 2023, preliminary data shows that 71 people lost their lives on Connecticut roadways while not wearing seat belts.
Connecticut’s seat belt use rate rose from 93.5% in 2023 to 95% in 2024 — a meaningful increase that puts the state well above the national average of 91.2%. Still, there’s room to grow. Every percentage point represents lives made safer. Connecticut law requires all drivers and passengers in both front and back seats to wear seat belts. Fines start at a minimum of $92 for a first offense.
“For years, seat belt campaigns have focused primarily on drivers, but data shows there is a serious risk for unbuckled passengers in the rear seats,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “The ‘Buckle Everyone’ campaign is about shifting that mindset. Drivers are responsible not only for themselves, but for every person in their vehicle.”
“Safety is always the top priority for Connecticut State Troopers patrolling local roads and highways,” said Colonel Daniel Loughman, Commanding Officer of the Connecticut State Police. “With roads becoming more crowded during the busy summer months, now is the time to remind everyone to buckle up. Please take care of yourself and others by wearing your seat belt.”
“Connecticut’s police officers continue to respond to motor vehicle crashes where unbelted occupants have sustained serious injuries, which are preventable with seatbelt use,” said Watertown Police Chief Josh Bernegger, Chairman of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Traffic Safety Committee. “As a driver, please make certain that you and all of your passengers are buckled up before driving your vehicle.”
“Seatbelts help save lives. By buckling up every time you get into a vehicle, you’re making a responsible choice,” said Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Tony Guerrera. “Not only are you prioritizing your safety, but you’re also setting a good example for other passengers in the vehicle. This is especially important for parents and caregivers.”
For more information on CTDOT safety programs and initiatives, visit DriveToSaveLivesCT.com