Don’t be a turkey this Thanksgiving:

Buckle up. Every Trip. Every time.

Holiday travel is expected to be heavy in Oklahoma as families head out for their holiday destinations, but failure to buckle up can turn a joyful holiday into a tragedy.

“Seat belts are the single most important safety device in your vehicle and they have saved countless lives and prevented untold numbers of injuries over the year,” said Sabrina Mackey, communications manager for the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. “I urge everyone driving on our state’s roads this holiday season to drive carefully, don’t drive impaired, and most importantly, to buckle up.”

In Oklahoma last year, the holiday period ran from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 and ended at midnight on Sunday, Nov. 30. During this time period, 587 crashes were reported in Oklahoma. Fifteen people were killed and 346 others were injured.

Nationally, 389 passenger vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle traffic crashes between 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 and 5:59 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1.

Law enforcement officers will be out across the state during the holiday to crack down on people who refuse to buckle their seat belt.

“If you are traveling by car, make sure you are buckled up, as well as everyone in the car with you,” Mackey said. “Whether you’re traveling across town or across the state, if you or anyone in your vehicle is unbelted, you run the risk of getting a little holiday present from the police.”

Mackey said the goal of the “Click It or Ticket” mobilization is to save lives.

“We want to make sure every Oklahoman is as safe as possible in their vehicles,” she said. “We hope the ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign will remind everyone to make sure they’re appropriately buckled up.”

OHSO also recommends the following steps for safer Thanksgiving travel:

• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement or dial *55 from any cell phone to reach the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
• If alcohol is a part of your Thanksgiving celebration, plan ahead to have a designated driver who stays alcohol-free.
• Make sure every person in your vehicle wears a seat belt or appropriate child restraint.

For more information, see the OHSO Thanksgiving holiday fact sheet, visit www.ohso.ok.gov or www.StopImpairedDriving.org.