U.S. Virgin Islands – The Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD)/Office of Highway Safety (VIOHS) joins the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in launching the annual Click It or Ticket seat belt high-visibility enforcement campaign, urging drivers and passengers to consistently buckle up. The campaign reminds the community of the potentially deadly consequences of not wearing a seat belt.
According to the territory’s Observational Seat Belt Survey conducted in 2024, only 71.0% of motorists and their front seat passengers comply with territorial seat belt laws. This rings the alarm when compared to the mainland’s compliance rate of 91.2% for the same period. With an average of 14 crashes logged daily across the territory, it is imperative that road users adopt this simple, preventive measure proven to improve outcomes for crash victims.
“Non-compliance causes an unacceptable number of injuries and fatalities on our roads each year,” VIPD Commissioner Mario Brooks said. “Seat belts, along with increased traffic enforcement, are our best defense to reduce these preventable tragedies. Our message is clear: click it or pay a ticket.”
This year’s campaign, which runs through June 1, will be marked by a heightened enforcement period to help keep communities safe and remind everyone of the risks associated with riding in a vehicle unbelted. “The Department is proud to stand with NHTSA and law enforcement officials nationwide in their critical effort to remind everyone about this simple and lifesaving safety measure: buckle up,” added Commissioner Brooks.
Buckle Up, VI. Every trip. Everyone. Every time! For more occupant protection information or resources, contact the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety through Director O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov or Occupant Protection Program Manager, Denise Gomes, at denise.gomes@vipd.vi.gov or via telephone at (340) 473-7383.
