Colorado State Patrol Encourages Teens to Buckle Up for Prom

Description: The Colorado State Patrol is launching a multi-month RU Clicking campaign to increase awareness and use of seat belts across Colorado. This campaign targets the youngest and newest drivers to close the gap between the 92% national seat belt use rate and Colorado’s 88% seat belt use rate. Buckle Like a Boss.

Prom Night Dangers

Speak up if your date doesn’t buckle up

(COLO) – You have the outfit, flowers, and reservation, but do you have the confidence to tell your date to buckle up? Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash, and last year, Colorado State Troopers responded to 3,577 at-fault crashes for drivers aged 16 -21; 310 of those happened during April 2024. 

“Having a passenger while driving can divide or pull our attention. In fact, troopers found distracted driving to be the top crash causal factor for 16–21-year-olds in May of 2024,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Make sure you and your date have a fun time and a safe time. Buckle up and remind your date to do it too.”

Seat belt use in Colorado is increasing with the current usage rate of 88%, the highest rate observed in the past 10 years. Unfortunately, teens are the lowest age demographic group to buckle up. Being properly restrained reduces your risk of injury by 50% and death by up to 65% (NHTSA)

“Troopers have heard several excuses from ‘I forgot’ to ‘It was wrinkling my outfit’,” explained Col. Packard. “Safety devices aren’t optional. And, on an evening when you are excited, out driving late, or have a passenger, you need to take responsibility with the privilege of your license.”

Lap and shoulder belts prevent ejection from the vehicle and keep people from colliding with the vehicle interior during a crash. When worn properly, seat belts protect you by spreading the force of impact across your body’s strongest parts and keep you from being ejected from the vehicle.

It's also important that everyone in the vehicle wear a seat belt, not just you. Unbelted occupants can put other people in the vehicle at risk. The unbelted person can be thrown around the vehicle with great force and strike the other passengers.

Tweet