State launches ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign ahead of Thanksgiving travel surge

NORTH CAROLINA (WWAY) — With millions of people expected to travel across North Carolina during Thanksgiving week, state officials are launching a statewide “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign to reduce crashes, injuries and deaths.

From Nov. 24–30, law enforcement agencies across the state will increase patrols as part of the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s annual Thanksgiving initiative. The program aims to keep roads safer during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

“Seat belts save lives and wearing one is the easiest step anyone can take to stay safe on the road,” GHSP Director Mark Ezzell said in the release. “We want everyone to arrive safely to their destination. Those who do not comply can expect to be stopped.”

According to the North Carolina 2024 Traffic Crash Facts report, lack of seat belt use continues to be a leading factor in deadly crashes. For each of the last five years, at least 40% of people killed in vehicle crashes were unbuckled. In 2024, 1,181 people died in crashes statewide, and 471 of them, or 40%,  were not wearing a seat belt.

During Thanksgiving week last year, 23 people were killed on North Carolina roads. Officials say 15 of them were not buckled up.

“North Carolina’s roads belong to all of us, and when you buckle up, you are protecting yourself and others,” Ezzell said. “Each passenger should make it their highest priority for every trip, every time.”