Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Reminds New Yorkers of Annual Seat Belt Education and Enforcement Campaign

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) is once again partnering with NASCAR driver Ross Chastain to demonstrate and raise awareness among teens about the importance of wearing a seat belt, as part of the annual statewide “Buckle Up New York, Click it or Ticket” education and enforcement campaign, which runs from May 19 until June 1.

Chastain and GTSC met with students this week at the Institute for Technology at Syracuse Central School in Syracuse, and at East Syracuse Minoa High School. During these visits, teens will learn driver safety tips and how taking a few seconds to buckle up could save their lives. Data compiled by the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research (ITSMR) shows that in 2024, New York’s seat belt usage rate dipped to 92%, up from an all-time high of 94% in 2023.  

“The message to take a few seconds to buckle up every trip, every time you’re in a vehicle cannot be overstated,” said Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Not only is it the law, but that simple action could save your life. By partnering with Ross Chastain, we reach a wider audience which can only help strengthen our message and the safety of all New Yorkers.”

When he’s not driving on the NASCAR circuit, Ross Chastain is an eighth-generation watermelon farmer, hence him sporting New York’s “Protect Your Melon” logo on both his uniform and his #44 Buckle Up NY Chevy for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Watkins Glen International in August. More than 1,500,000 watermelons labeled with “Protect Your Melon” and “Buckle Up!” hashtags will be sold in grocery stores across the state from now until fall.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Protect Your Melon initiative again this year,” said Chastain. “Encouraging students and young drivers to buckle up and spread awareness about the importance of wearing seat belts will help build safe driving habits for years to come.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Buckle Up New York is more than just a slogan—it’s a life-saving reminder that every seat belt click counts. The State Police remain committed to ensuring compliance with New York’s seat belt laws through both education and enforcement. We want every driver and passenger to understand that buckling up is the simplest step they can take to stay safe on our roadways.”

New York has always been at the forefront of seat belt safety. In 1984, New York was the first state in the country to pass legislation requiring drivers and front seat passengers to use seat belts. In 2020, those historic seat belt laws got even tighter with the enactment of a law to also require back seat passengers to wear a seat belt or be properly restrained in a child safety seat.  

Chautauqua County Sheriff and President of the NYS Sheriffs’ Association James Quattrone said, “The easiest thing people can do to protect themselves in a crash is wear a seat belt.  Everyone must buckle-up or be in an appropriate child restraint device, even back seat passengers.  It can be the difference between walking away from a crash or ending up at the hospital.   The Sheriffs of New York State want you to enjoy your travels in the nice weather but do so safely and protected by wearing your seat belt.”  

City of Batavia Police Chief and President of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police Shawn Heubusch said, “Seat belt use is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent injury or death in a crash. By supporting this GTSC initiative, we are helping to protect the lives of New Yorkers in every community."  

As part of its ongoing effort to make sure drivers and passengers are safe, GTSC's Child Passenger Safety Program supports training on how to properly install child safety restraints. Through this program, law enforcement and various community safety partners offer free child car seat inspections by certified child passenger safety technicians year-round. Information for parents and caregivers is available at GTSC's website.

For more information on occupant protection, please read more about occupant safety on GTSC's website or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.

About GTSC

Combined with education and enforcement campaigns, GTSC coordinates various traffic safety activities throughout the year and supports ongoing initiatives to improve pedestrian, motorcycle and bicycle safety. The GTSC also sponsors critical training for law enforcement, provides resources for teen drivers and their parents, and promotes seatbelt use statewide.

For more information about GTSC, visit the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee website, or follow the GTSC conversation on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter).

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