The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program joined Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers and Wayne McNeil, whose son was unbuckled and killed in a vehicle crash last week Wednesday at the Piedmont Regional Farmers Market in Colfax to kick off the state’s 2021 Thanksgiving Click It or Ticket campaign.
The campaign, which runs from Monday, Nov. 22-Sunday, Nov. 28, aims to encourage motorists to buckle up through innovative and extensive enforcement and education, including seatbelt checks in all North Carolina counties.
Lack of seatbelt use is a primary contributor to fatalities and injuries in vehicle crashes. In 2021 in North Carolina, 450 people have died and 926 have been seriously injured in unbuckled crashes, including 24 people in Guilford County.
“The simple act of buckling your seatbelt in the front and back seats can drastically improve your chances of surviving a car crash without injury or death,” said Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Mark Ezzell. “With many more motorists traveling for the holidays, it’s imperative that we all do our parts to keep ourselves, our passengers and others safe on the roads.”
“Whether you are in the driver’s seat, passenger’s seat, back seat, or have a child traveling with you in a carseat, make sure everyone is properly buckled up – every seat, every time,” said Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers.
“A seatbelt could have saved my son’s life,” said Wayne McNeil, whose son was killed in a 1999 vehicle accident in Greensboro. “I don’t want other families to suffer like mine has – buckle up and don’t drink and drive so you can avoid tragedy.”
Some other ways motorists can drive safely this holiday season include:
- Buckling up – every seat, every time.
- Obey all speed limits.
- Never drive impaired, tired or distracted.
