The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released research that indicated the odds of being killed in a motor vehicle accident are three times higher at night. At night is also when seat belt usage significantly declines. In order to combat these statistics, the annual Click It or Ticket campaign will focus on nighttime seat belt use. The campaign, supported by a $30 million state and national advertising campaign, will take place between May 21st and June 3rd.
A study conducted by the NHTSA found that between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. more than 15,000 people traveling in motor vehicles died in traffic accidents in 2005. Two thirds of those killed were not wearing their seat belts at the time. According to the study, seat belt usage is about 10 percent lower during nighttime hours compared to the nationwide average of 82 percent daytime seat belt use.
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