The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania State Police and other public safety organizations are urging motorists to buckle up as the annual “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign gets underway across the state.
The campaign began Monday, May 11, and continues through May 31. Officials gathered at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia alongside the Phillie Phanatic, the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, Delaware State Police, AAA Mid-Atlantic and the Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project to promote seat belt safety and warn drivers that law enforcement will be taking a zero-tolerance approach toward unbuckled motorists.
According to PennDOT, Pennsylvania recorded 9,696 crashes in 2025 involving at least one occupant who was not wearing a seat belt. Those crashes resulted in 259 deaths and 733 suspected serious injuries. Officials estimate that 233 of the people killed while riding unrestrained in passenger vehicles likely would have survived if they had been wearing seat belts.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said the campaign is focused on preventing unnecessary deaths and injuries, especially as roads become busier heading into the summer travel season.
Pennsylvania law requires drivers, front-seat passengers and anyone younger than 18 to wear a seat belt. The state also has child passenger safety requirements, including rear-facing car seats for children under age 2 until they outgrow manufacturer height and weight limits. Children under age 4 must ride in approved child safety seats, while booster seats are required for children ages 4 through 8.
State police are also using the campaign to encourage parents and caregivers to ensure child safety seats are properly installed. PSP troopers certified as child passenger safety technicians will offer free car seat fitting events throughout Pennsylvania during the enforcement period.
Officials said nearly half of all car seats nationally are installed incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. Troopers at the events will inspect seats for recalls, proper fit and correct installation.
The Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project also stressed the importance of keeping children in the appropriate seat based on age, height and weight, noting that many caregivers move children into larger seats too soon.
As part of the campaign, police agencies statewide will participate in nighttime coordinated enforcement efforts on May 21. The initiative will include roving patrols, traffic enforcement zones and speed enforcement details on roads with high rates of crashes involving unbuckled occupants.
The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is part of Pennsylvania’s Highway Safety Program and is funded through PennDOT with federal support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
More information on traffic safety and child passenger safety is available through PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project at [PA Kids Travel Safe](https://www.pakidstravelsafe.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com) and [PennDOT Safety](https://www.pa.gov/dotsafety?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Source: pa.gov