As one of the most effective automobile safety features invented, seat belts save thousands of lives every year. Unfortunately, one in five Americans fail to regularly wear their seat belt while driving or riding in a motor vehicle.

In 2011, NHTSA statistics show that 21,253 occupants of passenger cars, trucks, vans and SUVs were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States. Almost half of these fatalities happened during the night when seat belt use is the lowest. It is estimated that 63 percent of vehicle occupants do not buckle up at night compared to only 43 percent during the day. In order to increase seat belt use, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is joining forces with local and national law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates to educate vehicle occupants, enforce laws, and increase belt use.

The 2013 National Seat Belt Enforcement Mobilization is May 20 through June 2, 2013. NHTSA encourages everyone to rally officers and alert the public to prepare for maximum high-visibility seat belt enforcement during the day and night. This mobilization is created to crackdown on violators 24-7, with an increased enforcement effort between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. By maintaining the “Click It or Ticket” brand and awareness, the NHTSA hopes to continue reducing seat belt fatalities on American roads.