WEBVTT 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:25.000 >>> Good morning. 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:33.000 I'm Dr. Steve Cliff, deputy administrator of the national highway traffic safety administration. Thank you for joining us for the launch of our annual click it or ticket campaign. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:36.000 When normal life came to a halt in March 2020 many expected traffic fatalities to decline as more people stayed home. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:41.000 Instead, we saw the opposite. 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:44.000 Risky driving behavior sky rocketed and traffic fatalities spiked. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:50.000 Sadly, these trends continued throughout 2021. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:57.000 We are planning to release our 2021 preliminary early estimates next week. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:00.000 While I'm not able to provide you with exact numbers today what I can tell you is the projected increases are alarming. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:11.000 And that action is needed now. 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:13.000 We need everyone state and local governments, safety advocates, automakers and drivers to join us in doing their part to stop the carnage on our roads. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:18.000 All of our lives depend on it. 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:24.000 There's never been a more important time than now for our traffic safety campaigns. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:30.000 Today we're asking for your support for our annual click it or ticket campaign. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:36.000 In 2020 almost 11,000 people who died on our nation's roads were not wearing a seatbelt. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:46.000 And we are projecting an increase in 2021 of unbelted occupant fatalities. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:49.000 As the weather gets warmer and families hit the road for summer vacations, we want everyone to know every trip must start with a buckled seatbelt. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:02:02.000 That includes short trips, too. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:05.000 Our data show that there's no such thing as a quick trip down the street when it comes to wearing a seatbelt and choosing not to can have deadly consequences. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:12.000 Seatbelts save lives, best defense in a crash. 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:26.000 Our goal is to see every driver and passenger take this message to heart and make the right choice every time. 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:34.000 The campaign we're kicking off May 23rd that runs through June 5th reminds drivers of this life saving message and the consequences they'll face by choosing to break the law by driving unbuckled. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:44.000 Our $10 million national paid media campaign features TV, radio and digital ads in English and Spanish. 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:52.000 Our focus is on drivers aged 18 to 34 who according to our data are less likely to buckle up consistently. 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:59.000 Our law enforcement partners will also be reminding drivers and passengers of the importance of wearing a seatbelt. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:10.000 Partnerships with law enforcement and the advocacy community are important and equity is always front and center in those conversations. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:15.000 It's important for the public to be able to trust that law enforcement will treat them fairly regardless of their background, ethnicity, race gender or sexual orientation. 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:27.000 We are pleased to have a great group of speakers with us today. 00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:38.000 To our partners from the Maryland transportation authority police and Bethesda Chevy Chase Maryland rescue squad, thank you for your work to help save lives. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:49.000 Our first speaker is Mischelle Miller, a mother of three who has been through every parents' worst nightmare but she and her family are working through their grief to help others. 00:03:49.000 --> 00:04:00.000 After her oldest daughter Megan was killed in a crash, Mischelle created the buckle up for Megan campaign to encourage seatbelt use in her home state of Kentucky. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:11.000 The Miller family shared their message through billboards and TV ads with the goal of saving other families from the pain that they have endured. 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:17.000 Mischelle and her family are recipients of the drive smart Kentucky highway safety award and NHTSA's public service award. Mischelle, the floor is yours. 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:25.000 >> Thank you Dr. Cliff. Good morning. I want to talk to you about Megan and the importance of seatbelt safety. 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:30.000 I want to talk about the day it happened, what we have done as the result of what has happened in our family. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:32.000 How we turned a tragedy into something positive. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:41.000 Let me talk about Megan first. 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:48.000 If I can make it this. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:56.000 She loved her church, her school. She loved life looking forward to her senior year. 00:04:56.000 --> 00:05:02.000 She was signed up for cosmetology school, couldn't wait to cut hair. She was your typical 17-year-old. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:06.000 She worked at dairy queen and was very responsible. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:11.000 Megan was involved in a car wreck March 19th, 2006. 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:11.000 She was on her way home from school -- I'm sorry. 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:17.000 From church. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:19.000 Her and her sister were on their way home and just listening to music. 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:22.000 Didn't really have a care in the world. 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:24.000 Actually they were going to get her brother a birthday present. 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:27.000 He was turning 16 the next day. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:31.000 Her car started to swerve. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:34.000 She overcorrected and she was ejected. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:36.000 She wasn't wearing her seatbelt. 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:38.000 I don't know why that day she wasn't. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:46.000 She always wore her seatbelt. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:49.000 She wouldn't go from store to store with her friends without saying we're not going until you're seatbelted. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:55.000 So it's a shock she wasn't wearing it. 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:57.000 One month after her accident, we started a buckle up for Megan campaign. 00:05:57.000 --> 00:06:01.000 We reached out to the high school. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:09.000 We gave out stickers that said buckle up in memory of Megan. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:13.000 And just one month after we gave out the stickers one of her friends Lindsey was in a car accident. 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:21.000 And she was saved because she had her seatbelt on. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:27.000 Her mom called me thanking me for the efforts that were put through that it did make a difference that it saved her daughter's life. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:31.000 From then we went on to opening up a club at the high school. 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:34.000 It was just called the buckle up club. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:39.000 We had seatbelt checks. 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:42.000 We did just information, gave out information about seatbelt safety. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:48.000 How to keep everyone safe. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:58.000 We also put up billboards like he said. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:02.000 We sold T-shirts that said buckle up for Megan on them and funded those billboards, an effort to get the message out. 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:14.000 So we have turned a tragedy into something positive to get that message out. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:19.000 I didn't want anyone to go through what we went through as far as the pain of losing a child and we just wanted to make a difference and leave a legacy for Megan. 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:24.000 So like he said, even the short trips, no matter what, put your seatbelt on. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:32.000 It will save your life. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:38.000 Thank you. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:50.000 >> Thank you for joining us today Mischelle. I'm very sorry for your lost. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:57.000 Our next speaker is colonel Kevin Anderson a highway safety officer Maryland with the Maryland transportation authority and rose through the anxious. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:09.000 Previously serving as chief of the operations bureau before coming chief of police in 2020. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:13.000 He is also the chairman of Maryland's distracted driver emphasis area team and an executive board member of the traffic safety specialist committee for the Maryland highway safety office. 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:16.000 Colonel Anderson welcome and thank you for joining us. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:40.000 >> Good morning Dr. Cliff. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:42.000 Thanks everybody for allowing us to join from law enforcement's perspective as Dr. Cliff said, just over 28 and a half years of service in this profession I can tell you every time I hear a story such as Mischelle's it breaks my heart to know the number one thing we do from law enforcement's perspective, education, prevention and just citizens in general is buckle upper single time. 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:45.000 It's such an easy thing to do. 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:47.000 Doesn't matter what vehicle you're driving day or night. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:57.000 What seating position. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:00.000 If you wear a seatbelt, I guarantee over 28 and a half years we're going to save your life or if you're injured it's going to be much less, will not be as severe. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:06.000 That's just the number one thing out there. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:11.000 I would rather my officers spend time educating the community, engaging with them. 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:19.000 Talking about the proactive reasons why we should wear seatbelts instead of enforcing. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:26.000 But we know we're committed to doing that enforcement and we will issue citations and educate through that means. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:30.000 Even in Maryland we have a very high percentage of seatbelt usage, over 91% which is fantastic. 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:34.000 But it's still not 100%. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:35.000 Until we get there we have a lot of work and we'll continue to do that. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:40.000 I know it's already been said. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:48.000 The most easiest thing we can do, it's just so simple. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:10:00.000 Buckle your seatbelt up every position. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:00.000 Thank you for letting us be a part of this and we'll continue to do our part to educate those in our public that need to be safe on our highways. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:05.000 Thank you. 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:22.000 >> Colonel Anderson thank you for sharing your perspective and we appreciate the work you're doing. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:25.000 Our last speaker is Udana Torian. Udana has been a member of the Bethesda Chevy chase rescue squad in Maryland since 2006, relocated from north Carolina in the EMS. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:31.000 Udana began her emergency -- 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:42.000 began as an emergency medical technician before completing her training. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:44.000 Since then responded to many crashes and seen firsthand the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:11:01.000 Udana, welcome. 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:14.000 >> Thank you. Despite evolving advances it is still seatbelts that prove pivotal in saving lives, reducing preventable mortality is clear. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:19.000 Preventable accidental death plagues the U.S. and even in the context of modern pandemics, advances in medical trauma treatment and safety feature engineering for passenger vehicles, the numbers of fatalities continue to increase. 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:26.000 So the need for awareness and safe practices is ever present. 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:39.000 As a volunteer paramedic firefighter with over 20 years experience, I can attest to that being firsthand. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:45.000 Data is crucial to understanding trends and phenomenon but visualizing the human toll anchors the urgency in continuing to address the dangers of high risk behavior such as not using seatbelts. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:50.000 One incident in particular illustrates how impactful a safety decision can be. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:55.000 I responded to a rollover collision on the beltway here in the DMV. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:12:03.000 There are two occupants of this particular vehicle, the driver and an infant. 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:09.000 Both survived the accident and prevented severe injury likely solely due to both being restrained. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:14.000 The driver by a properly worn seatbelt and the child by properly installed child seat. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:16.000 This safety decision by the adult prevented tragedy. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:27.000 The safety decisions affect all involved. 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:32.000 The aftermath of poor decisions not only cause loss and hardship of victims but also first responders such as myself as well. 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:44.000 The trauma that providers suffer goes to that human toll. 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:48.000 Debriefings that happen formally or informally in personal conversations with colleagues points to the impact from responders responding to accidents resulting in fatalities that may have been preventable. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:53.000 The message of safety has to be deafening. 00:12:53.000 --> 00:13:04.000 Many take for granted the risk involved when we are behind the wheel or a passenger. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:11.000 It doesn't matter if it's a five minute trip to the store around the corner from your home or ride share through the city, seatbelt usage is crucial. 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:14.000 Firehouses across the nation hold open houses with demos and information tables to increase safety awareness. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:20.000 These messages can't be limited to an open house though. 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:28.000 It has to be in schools, places of worship, shopping centers and in homes. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:34.000 We all have to encourage family and friends to wear not only their seatbelts but to do so properly. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:38.000 Installation of child and infant seats is also a must. 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:40.000 Show by example and be a voice of safety. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:53.000 Thank you. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:14:03.000 >> Udana, thank you so much for that message. I really appreciate it. Before we close I would like to preview our new powerful TV ads in English and Spanish that bring this message home. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:14.000 They illustrate how failing to wear a seatbelt can change lives in an instant. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:25.000 >> I thought he would be home by now but you know Jordan. One sec. Someone is at the door. 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:26.000 >> I'm officer Taylor. Your son, Jordon was in a crash. And has died. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:30.000 >> What happened? 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:32.000 >> Jordan died. 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:46.000 He wasn't wearing a seatbelt. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:48.000 He was ejected from the vehicle. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:55.000 >> I don't -- 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:57.000 >> I'm so sorry for your loss, ma'am. 00:14:57.000 --> 00:15:02.000 >> Mom? Are you there? 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:03.000 Hello? 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:06.000 Mom? 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:17.000 >> I'm so sorry. 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:21.000 >> 19-year-old man, head, neck and back injury. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:27.000 [ Speaking Non-English ] 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:30.000 >> There you go. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:35.000 [ Speaking Non-English ] 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.000 >> You can do it. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:56.000 [ Speaking Non-English ] 00:15:56.000 --> 00:16:16.000 [ Speaking Non-English ] 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:20.000 >> As we have heard today sharing that tragic news with a family is one of the hardest parts of the job for law enforcement and emergency responders. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:25.000 No one wants to make that call or receive it. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:31.000 So please remember always buckle up because your life could depend on it. 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:37.000 With that, I want to thank our speakers and conclude today's events. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:57.000 Thank you very much for everyone who participated today, to our audience and others who helped us with this campaign. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:04.000 For the members of the media in attendance, please e-mail NHTSA media@DOT.gov if you have questions. That's NTSA media, NHTSA media@DOT.gov. Thank you so much and stay safe.