The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety are urging drivers to buckle up ahead of the Click It or Ticket seat belt safety campaign. The national high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, spans May 11-31, 2026.

“Seat belt use should be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike,” said Highway Safety Coordinator Erica Davis, in a news release. “During the Click It or Ticket campaign, we’ll be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across local and state lines to ensure the message gets out to drivers and passengers. Not buckling up could mean a ticket, or worse, risking a life.”

In Maine, the observed seat belt usage rate is 92.2%.

"However, recent data show a concerning decline in this rate over the past few years," said MBHS. "Every percentage point lost means more lives at risk, as seat belts are one of the most effective safety devices available. Law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night. Every seat belt worn is a step towards safer roads and saving lives."

“Wearing a seat belt is the easiest way to ensure that you remain in your seat and in the car should a crash occur. So, Buckle Up. No Excuses!” said Highway Safety Director Lauren Stewart.

One of the focuses of the Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign is nighttime enforcement. In Maine, the overall nighttime statewide belt use rate was 90.2% in 2025. Despite a gradual increase in nighttime seat belt use over recent years, approximately 10% of drivers and passengers still choose to ride unbelted after dark.

"Wearing a seat belt has been proven to dramatically reduce the severity of injuries and save lives in the event of a crash," said MBHS.

Buckle Up the Right Way

• Place the shoulder belt across the middle of the chest and away from the neck.

• Lay the lap belt across the hips and not the stomach.

• NEVER place the seat belt behind the back or under arms.

“We are asking friends and family to remind each other to buckle up in the front and back seats and to consider changing their habits if they don’t,” said Highway Safety Coordinator Erica Davis. “Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to remember to buckle up.”

The chart below shows the number of unrestrained fatalities that Maine has seen between 2023 and 2025. The data for 2025 is preliminary and subject to change.

Fatalities of Drivers and Passengers

For more information on the Click It or Ticket seat belt high-visibility enforcement campaign, please visit NHTSA.gov/ClickIt.