The Marshalltown Police Department, in partnership with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) and other Iowa law enforcement agencies, is joining the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “Click It, Don’t Risk It” campaign from May 20 to June 2, 2024. This high-visibility enforcement effort aims to increase seat belt use during the Memorial Day holiday period.

Despite the common belief that most people wear seat belts, data reveals that 45% of traffic fatalities in Iowa in 2023 involved unbuckled passengers, resulting in 123 deaths. A GTSB survey of over 1,450 Iowans showed that while 88% always buckle up in the front seat, only 67% do so in the back seat.

The campaign encourages individuals to remind friends and family to wear seat belts, aiming to prevent further loss of life. The message is clear: seat belts save lives, and everyone, regardless of seat position, should always buckle up.