Remember to Buckle Up, Montana!
Expect increased patrols in Bozeman and Gallatin County as part of a nationwide “Click It or Ticket” mobilization

May 28, 2021, Bozeman, Mont. – The beginning of the summer travel season is upon us with Memorial Day weekend right around the corner. Before you drive anywhere this holiday weekend, make the choice to wear your seat belt. Wearing your seat belt is the best defense you have to prevent serious injury and death in the event you are in a crash. As part of a nationwide “Click It or Ticket” mobilization running from May 24 through June 6, 2021, Bozeman area law enforcement agencies and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) will be out to educate motorists and enforce Montana’s seat belt law statewide.

“You share the road with other motorists and must take precautions for your safety and the safety of your passengers. It is every driver’s responsibility,” said Captain Dana McNeil. “We know seat belts save lives and wearing one is the single most important safety measure you can take when you get in a vehicle. Do your part and buckle up every time.”

In 2019 in Montana 184 people died in roadway crashes, of those:
74 of vehicle occupant (exclude pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle) deaths were unrestrained,
93 unrestrained vehicle occupant deaths occurred in rural roadway crashes,
64 unrestrained vehicle occupant who died were ejected.

Though Montana has made an improvement in the percentage of those wearing their seat belts, we still have a long way to go – remember, your chance of surviving a crash is increased by 50% if you are buckled up.

We all can do more to protect ourselves by simply wearing our seat belts and ensure our passengers to do the same. State and local law enforcement are also doing their part to ensure the safety of all Montanans by continuing to educate motorists and enforcing Montana’s seat belt law statewide. When we remember to buckle up, we save lives.

This is a Vision Zero message from the Montana Department of Transportation. This and other enforcement and educational campaigns are strategies to reach Vision Zero – zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Montana roadways. For more information about Vision Zero, contact Janet Kenny, Montana Department of Transportation, 406-444-7417 or jakenny@mt.gov.