Police and law-enforcement agencies across several U.S. states are targeting drivers who do not wear seat belts through high-visibility enforcement campaigns [1].

These initiatives aim to reduce traffic deaths by increasing the likelihood that occupants are secured during collisions. The push comes as data indicates a significant link between unbelted drivers and fatal crash outcomes [6].

In Michigan and Mississippi, the "Click It or Ticket" enforcement period runs from May 18 to May 31, 2026 [4, 5]. Officers in Meridian, Mississippi, and various jurisdictions in Michigan are increasing patrols to identify and cite drivers who fail to buckle up [4, 5]. Similar efforts are being coordinated in Vermont and New York, where police have stepped up patrols specifically to target unbuckled drivers [3].

Local agencies in other major hubs are also prioritizing traffic safety. The Los Angeles Police Department launched a campaign earlier this month to reduce traffic deaths [6].

Data from Colorado highlights the urgency of these measures. In 2025, Colorado recorded about 400 deadly crashes [1]. Nearly half of the people killed in those crashes were not wearing seat belts [1].

Law enforcement officials said the high-visibility nature of these campaigns is intended to change driver behavior. By increasing the perceived risk of being ticketed, agencies hope to encourage a permanent habit of seat belt use among the public [2, 3].

“Nearly half of the people killed in those crashes were not wearing seat belts”

The coordination of these campaigns across diverse regions, from the Northeast in New York and Vermont to the South in Mississippi, suggests a systemic effort to lower preventable road deaths. By focusing on the 'Click It or Ticket' window in late May, authorities are attempting to establish safety habits before the peak summer travel season, addressing a critical vulnerability where nearly 50% of fatalities in some states involve unbelted occupants.