5/14/2025
Britt Rosenthal
ITD Communication
208.781.9602
britt.rosenthal@itd.idaho.gov
Buckle up, Idaho - a simple click saves lives
Boise — The Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is calling on all drivers and passengers to buckle up—every trip, every time. Right now, 86% of Idahoans wear seatbelts, but that still leaves too many lives at risk.
“We’re grateful that most people in Idaho are making the smart choice to buckle up,” said Josephine Middleton, Highway Safety Manager for the Office of Highway Safety. “But 86% isn’t enough when it comes to saving lives. We’re aiming for 100%, because even one life lost is one too many.”
Seatbelts are proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury by 50%, yet over half of the people killed in Idaho crashes last year were unbelted.
As part of a continued effort to increase seatbelt use, Idaho law enforcement agencies will participate in a statewide high-visibility seatbelt enforcement campaign from May 18 through June 1, reminding drivers that seatbelts aren’t just a good idea, they’re the law.
The message is clear: seatbelts save lives.
Whether you're driving across town or across the state, the rule is the same: buckle up, no exceptions.
“We know Idahoans value independence and personal responsibility,” said Josephine Middleton. “Wearing your seatbelt is a small act that shows big respect for yourself, your passengers, and everyone else on the road.”
For more information and tools to help spread the message, visit SHIFT Idaho.