Texas high school students are being encouraged to pledge to always wear seat belts as part of a new safety initiative launched by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the University Interscholastic League (UIL). The “Saved by the Belt” competition, which runs through February 27, invites students from more than 1,500 high schools across the state to commit to buckling up every time they get in a vehicle.
According to TxDOT, young people ages 15–20 represent nearly 9% of Texas’s population but were involved in 19% of all motor vehicle crashes in 2024. Of those killed in these incidents, 132 were not wearing seat belts.
“Teens will shape our communities for years to come, but the simple choice to buckle up—or not—can be the difference between a bright future or a young life cut short,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “By instilling these habits now, we can help the next generation of Texas drivers make safe driving decisions for the rest of their lives.”
The campaign is part of TxDOT’s annual teen-focused Click It or Ticket program. Students can take the pledge at TexasFootball.com, and the school with the most pledges will receive a $5,000 grand prize from UIL.
TxDOT emphasizes that seat belts are crucial for safety. Those who do not wear them risk being ejected from vehicles or injuring other passengers during accidents. The department also reminds Texans that state law requires all drivers and passengers—including those in back seats—to wear seat belts; violators may face fines and court costs up to $200.
The Click It or Ticket effort supports TxDOT’s broader Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe. initiative, which encourages responsible driving behavior statewide.
TxDOT manages an extensive transportation infrastructure that supports economic activity and community connectivity throughout Texas (official website). The agency oversees highways, traffic signals, and general aviation airports while aiming to link urban and rural areas with its multimodal network (official website). Governed by the Texas Transportation Commission—which appoints an executive director—TxDOT handles approximately 556.9 million vehicle-miles traveled daily across its system (official website).
More information about safe driving initiatives can be found at DriveLikeATexan.com.
