Join the movement! The Buckle Up, Phone Down campaign is a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting road safety by encouraging drivers to adopt two critical habits: always wear a seatbelt and put cell phones down while driving. This initiative first began in 2017 by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Since then, several states have adopted this initiative including Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Louisiana and more.  

Texting is a very common distraction for most drivers. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. During that five seconds a lot can happen. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,308 people lost their lives in 2022 from distracted driving. No one’s life should be risked for a text that can easily wait until you arrive to your destination. Many states now have laws against texting, talking on the phone and other distractions. You can learn more about these laws here.   

Safe Tips for Driving 

  1. Appoint a passenger as your “designated texter” if the matter is urgent. 
  1. If you receive a text, pull over in a parking spot then open the message. 
  1. Activate your phone on “do not disturb,” which will silence all future notifications. 
  1. If you are in a car with someone who is texting while driving, speak up and tell them to put the phone down. 

One of the safest choices a driver can also make on top of putting the phone down is putting on your seatbelt. In 2023, the nationwide rate of drivers using their seatbelt was at 91.9%. In 2017, during the launch of this campaign, an additional 2,549 lives were saved by seatbelts during accidents.  

Tops 5 Things You Should Know about Buckling 

  1. Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. 
  1. Air bags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them. 
  1. Guidelines to buckle up safely.  
  • The lap belt and shoulder belt are secured across the pelvis and rib cage. 
  • Place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck. 
  • The lap belt rests across your hips, not your stomach. 
  1. The fit of the seatbelt matters. Make sure you don’t need a seatbelt adjuster. 
  1. Find out when your child is ready to use a seatbelt, and ensure you know the seatbelt safety if you are pregnant.  

Join the movement and take the pledge here. By joining the movement and taking the pledge, you’re not only committing to protecting yourself, but others on the road. Every time you buckle up, you’re setting an example for others to follow. 

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