Tag Archives: buckle up

Building a Culture of Buckling Up

Building a Culture of Buckling Up

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Occupant Protection: Building a Culture of Buckling Up Across Northeast Florida

For more than three decades, the FDOT District Two Community Traffic Safety Program (CTSP) has worked alongside local agencies, schools, businesses, and healthcare partners to make seat belt use a lifelong habit across Northeast Florida. Our 2026 Occupant Protection Report highlights the many ways this collaborative effort is helping save lives through education, outreach, and community partnerships.

Occupant protection remains one of the most effective ways to reduce serious injuries and fatalities in crashes. While seat belt use is required by law, our goal goes beyond compliance. We strive to create a traffic safety culture where buckling up is second nature for every trip, every passenger, every time.

Building a Culture of Buckling Up 2026 report
Occupant Protection Report: Building a Culture of Buckling Up [PDF]

A Community Effort That Spans 18 Counties

The strength of District Two’s occupant protection program comes from collaboration. Community Traffic Safety Teams representing all 18 counties work year-round to identify local traffic safety concerns, share resources, and coordinate outreach efforts. Together with law enforcement, schools, hospitals, businesses, fire rescue agencies, and community organizations, they help spread life-saving messages where people live, work, learn, and travel.

Reaching Drivers of Every Age

The report showcases a wide variety of educational initiatives designed to reach every stage of life:

  • Child Passenger Safety education through the statewide W.H.A.L.E. Check program.
  • Traffic Safety for Kids activity books, bookmarks, and classroom resources.
  • Teen driver education, including short safety videos and the growing Battle of the Belts competition.
  • Rural occupant protection campaigns focused on pickup truck occupants and high-risk roadways.
  • Year-round social media campaigns, downloadable graphics, blogs, and community events promoting seat belt use

Resources That Reach the Community

Free educational materials, including banners, posters, tip cards, activity books, bookmarks, digital graphics, and videos, are distributed through schools, libraries, healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, tax collector offices, chambers of commerce, businesses, churches, and community events throughout Northeast Florida. These repeated reminders help reinforce one consistent message: Safety belts save lives.

Education Supported by Data

District Two’s outreach is guided by crash trends and community needs. The report highlights ongoing collaboration with more than 1,015 Traffic Safety Team members and 1,848 partner agencies, supported through 61 virtual meetings each year. The program also shares occupant protection crash data, educational resources, and best practices to help local communities focus their safety efforts where they can make the greatest impact.

Looking Ahead

Achieving Florida’s Target Zero vision requires continued partnership and public participation. Every banner displayed, every educational material distributed, every child properly restrained, and every driver who chooses to buckle up brings us one step closer to reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Together, we are building a culture of buckling up!

We invite you to explore the complete Occupant Protection Report. Learn more about the innovative programs, community partnerships, and educational initiatives helping make Northeast Florida’s roads safer for everyone.

One click does the trick. Remember, always buckle up. For yourself, your family, and for life.

Additional Occupant Protection Resources

Occupant Protection
Safety Belt Use in Northeast Florida
Buckle Up and Slow Down
Buckle Up and Slow Down

Buckle Up and Slow Down

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Hey Guys, Slow Down! There is an over-representation of fatality and injury crashes with young men, ages 18–24, in Northeast Florida rural counties, caused by speeding and lower safety belt usage. We aim to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries by increasing safety belt usage and reducing excessive speeding. We’re taking a thoughtful approach to traffic safety—and we hope you’ll join us on this journey to save lives.

Drive like your future depends on it… because it does.

Improving roadway behaviors starts with us! Positive change begins by buckling up when you get in your vehicle, slowing down, and focusing on the road. Let’s keep the good vibes rolling—so we don’t come to a dead end. Life is a journey. Drive safely to reach your destination and your destiny.

Life is a Highway

Share these graphics to help spread the message. #LifeIsAHighway #DriveSafe

Life is a Highway - Buckle Up and Slow Down
Life is a Highway - Buckle Up and Slow Down
Life is a Highway - Buckle Up and Slow Down

Life is a highway made of more than asphalt and concrete, filled with cars and people. These streets connect us and make it possible to go places, be someone, and enjoy the benefits of life. The long and winding roads take us to our future. If you don’t buckle up, slow down, and enjoy the journey, you may come to a dead end. Your family and friends would be devastated, and the world might never know what you could have been.

Buckle Up and Slow Down Poster and Banner

To help change this behavior, we created custom safety messages. The core idea is to save your life and protect your future. We need community outreach and connection to encourage slowing down and making driving safe the norm. Our new materials feature country-styled belt buckles with the messages “Buckle-Up” and “Slow Down,” conveying the idea that Life is a journey. Enjoy the ride… safely to reach your destiny. We want drivers to feel it’s okay NOT to be the fastest on the road. 

Rural Buckle Up and Slow Down poster and banner
Click here to download a printable version of our Buckle Up and Slow Down poster.

Buckle Up and Slow Down

Help make buckling up the social norm and driving at safe speeds part of our safety culture. Please download and share our Buckle Up and Slow Down printable POSTER and square social media GRAPHIC. You may print this flyer as a handout tip card, include it in an email or newsletter, or post it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook and Instagram @trafficsafetyteam and on Twitter and LinkedIn @trafficsafetyfl and hashtag #SlowDownFL #BuckleUpFL #TrafficSafetyFL

speeding, aggressive drivers, occupant protection, Country Buckle Up Belt and Slow Down Belt Buckle

We want all motorists, especially young male drivers between the ages of 18 and 24, to change their mindset about speeding and realize it’s not worth the risk to their life or future. After interviewing this target audience in Northeast Florida, we gained a deeper understanding of some barriers and behavioral determinants of excessive speeding. We found that they frequently exceeded posted speed limits by a significant margin on rural roadways.

Slow Down – District Two Market Research

Levy and Suwannee are two counties in Northeast Florida with a population under 44,000. Comparing these counties with other similarly sized counties in Florida, they are ranked most problematic (#1 and #3) in the issues of both speed and teen drivers per the FY2024 Highway Safety Matrix.

Examples of why speeding among young male drivers on rural roads is a problem include:
  • Limited law enforcement presence
  • Roadway characteristics – curvature, grade, width, and adjacent land use
  • Delayed EMS response times
  • Pickup trucks are more likely to roll over, especially when significantly altered/lifted; they are top-heavy
Formative data:
  • NHTSA 2020 Speeding Traffic Safety Facts – Thirty-five percent of male drivers in the 15- to 20-year-old age group involved in fatal crashes in 2020 were speeding, the highest among the age groups.
  • GHSA Teens and Speeding – from 2015 to 2019, teen drivers and passengers (16 – 19 years of age) had a greater proportion of speeding-related fatalities (43%) than all other age groups. Men were almost twice as likely as women to say that they drove at extreme speeds much more often than normal. 
  • Speeding-related teen driver fatal crashes – the driver is more likely to be male (37% vs. 28%), have run off the road or rolled over the vehicle, and to be unbelted.
  • Male drivers in every age group account for the greatest proportion of fatal crashes involving speeding.
  • NTSB – The relationship between speed and injury severity is consistent and direct. 
  • NHTSA – Drivers classified as speeders were almost three times as likely as sometime speeders to strongly agree with the statements, “I often get impatient with slower drivers” (45% versus 18%), “I enjoy the feeling of driving fast” (19% versus 6%), and “I try to get where I am going as fast as I can” (11% versus 3%).
Insight – Younger male drivers enjoy excessive speeding in rural areas without regard to safety or the law. Barriers and behavioral determinants:
  • Entitlement (the belief that their need to reach a destination is more important/deserving, ‘own the road.’)
  • Personable responsibility and self-protection
  • Driving over the speed limit is not dangerous for skilled drivers (male dominant attitude)
  • Hustle mentality
  • Traveling with the flow of traffic (everyone speeds)
  • Enjoy driving faster (extreme risks feel exciting, adrenaline rush)
  • Not predetermined, in-the-moment decisions to speed
Other materials, information, and resources available on our website about occupant protection, speeding, and driving tips for teens:
Occupant Protection
Driving Tips for Teens
Teen Drivers Speeding

Buckle Up Buddy Heart

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Sweetheart Craft for Valentine’s Day

Check out our cute Buckle Up Buddy Heart and bring some safety fun into Valentine’s Day. It’s time to get crafty with the kiddos (or for those of us who are just a kid at heart). Don’t be afraid of pink and red, hearts, and even glitter. This is a unique Valentine’s holiday craft with a simple traffic safety message.

Buckle Up Buddy Heart Artwork
Make your own Buckle Up Buddy Heart Valentine!

You and your family or school class can make these easy Buckle Up Buddy Hearts. The arms and legs bounce and jiggle… make us smile and want to giggle while remembering the importance of buckling up!

This is a cute DIY craft for any time of year. Kids can make a Buckle Up Buddy Heart for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or as a birthday card. In addition to being a fun art project, it also sends a positive traffic safety message. Occupant protection is always a primary concern. All drivers and passengers should be properly restrained with a lap and shoulder seat belt, and children should be correctly strapped into the right car seat that fits their size.

Download this free printable Buckle Up Buddy Heart Valentine craft sheet and follow the instructions. 

CPS Buckle Up Craft template
Buckle Up Buddy Heart – Valentine Craft
Template by Northeast Florida DOT District Two
Community Traffic Safety Team

SUPPLIES:

  • white card stock (or heavy paper)
  • crayons or markers
  • glitter or glitter glue (optional)
  • scissors
  • glue or glue stick
Buckle Up Buddy Heart Activity Card

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Download and print the free template provided above.
  2. Color and decorate the hearts.
  3. Cut out all the pieces.
  4. Fold arms and leg strips like an accordion.
  5. Glue the arms and legs onto the big heart.
  6. Finally, glue the small hearts on to create hands and feet.
CPS Buckle Up Craft

You can write a personalized message on the back of your Valentine card. We like, “Be Mine. Be Safe. Be Buckled Up.” Don’t forget to give your special Buckle Up Buddy Heart to someone you love. Or leave it in the car as a reminder to all those you love to wear their seat belt for every car ride.

Traffic Safety School Days
W.H.A.L.E. Check Program
Traffic Safety for Children
Child Passenger Safety

FDOT District Two Community Traffic Safety Program occupant protection

Occupant Protection

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Seat belt usage remains the most effective way to reduce injuries and fatalities from crashes on our roadways. The Community Traffic Safety Teams in Northeast Florida continue to promote occupant protection and buckling up as a safety tool and a safe lifestyle. Buckling up is not just a trend; it’s a necessity, and “It’s the law.” We feel it’s imperative to continue to promote strong occupant protection messaging.

Buckle Up – Occupant Protection Campaign Graphics

occupant protection banners and posters
2023 Buckle Up Banners and Posters

New Occupant Protection materials are available at no cost in FDOT District Two.

After three years, our “Phone Down / Buckle Up” and “Safety Belts Save Lives” messages remain popular. However, we refreshed the look with brighter colors and modern styles. Help share these free banners and posters in your District Two community and display them inside and outside your organization. Please also distribute them to local events, businesses, or agencies that would also be willing to display them. Click here to place your Northeast Florida order online. 

Because of the increase in our Northeast Florida population, maintaining a solid presence for occupant protection is more critical than ever. Buckling up is the single most effective thing people can do to protect themselves in the event of a crash. Safety belts have been proven to save lives, but they only work if used. 

Below are digital graphics to download and share. Together we can make wearing safety belts a way of life for everyone. Please tag us! @trafficsafetyteam on Facebook and Instagram or @trafficsafetyfl on Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Hashtag #BuckleUpFL #TrafficSafetyFL

Buckle Up – Social Media Files:

occupant protection, Safety Belts Save Lives, Always Buckle Up
Safety Belts Save Lives 2023
distracted driving, occupant protection, Phone Down, Buckle Up
Phone Down, Buckle Up 2023
speeding, aggressive drivers, occupant protection, Country Buckle Up Belt and Slow Down Belt Buckle
Buckle Up and Slow Down 2024

2020-2022 Occupant Protection Designs

  • Retro Style – Phone Down. Buckle Up.
  • EKG Lifeline – Safety Belts Save Lives. Always Buckle Up!
  • Seat Belt Angel – Be Prepared. Be Protected. Buckle Up Religiously!
thumbnail of Buckle Up Banners from 2020
2’x5′ Buckle Up Banners from 2020
thumbnail of Buckle Up Banner Stands from 2021
Buckle Up Pop-Up Banner Stands from 2021
Phone Down, Buckle Up 2020
Phone Down, Buckle Up 2020
Safety Belts Save Lives 2020
Always Buckle Up 2020
Buckle Up Religiously 2020
Buckle Up Religiously 2020

Buckle Up Banners About Town

The “Buckle Up” artwork is printed as an 11″x17″ poster, a 2’x5′ banner, and a 3’x6.5′ pop-up banner stand. All materials are in full color and beautiful to display. They are available, while supplies last, to our Northeast FDOT District Two Traffic Safety Team members, partners, organizations, agencies, businesses, and local community groups. Check out some of the occupant protection banners displayed throughout the 18 counties in District Two.

Allstate Business Displaying Occupant Protection Banner
DOH Displaying Occupant Protection Banner
Clay County and Middleburg Displaying Occupant Protection Banner
Hamilton County Displaying Occupant Protection Banner
High School Displaying Occupant Protection Banner
Team Displaying Occupant Protection Banner
Fire Rescue Displaying Occupant Protection Banner
Ponte Vedra High School Displaying Occupant Protection Banner
St Augustine High School Displaying Occupant Protection Banner
Suwannee High School Displaying Occupant Protection Banner
Rural Fire Rescue Displaying Occupant Protection Banner
Local Car Dealer Displaying Occupant Protection Banner
Buckle Up and Slow Down
Occupant Protection
Safety Belt Use in Northeast Florida
Additional Occupant Protection Resources:

Buckle Up Religiously

Buckle Up Religiously

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If you knew something you could do every day that would save you and your family from possible loss of life or serious injury, wouldn’t you do it?

Be prepared and protected by buckling up every time you get in the car! Wear your safety seat belt for your family, for yourself, and for life.

Buckling up is still the most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries from crashes on our roadways, and did you know…

  • You are twice as likely to be severely injured or killed when unbuckled.
  • A child unrestrained in a 30 mph crash is the same as a child dropped from a third-story window.
  • Chances are that someone you know will be involved in a vehicle crash this year.

One Click Does the Trick … wear your seat belt and secure all children in a proper child safety seat.

Buckle Up Religiously has been part of Northeast Florida’s ongoing occupant protection campaign for more than a decade. In 2020, we designed a new graphic with a buckled safety belt and angel wings. Community partners, churches, athletic groups, and organizations displayed these posters and banners throughout our 18 counties in District Two.

occupant protection - Safety Belts Save Lives - Buckle Up Religiously
Buckle Up Religiously Social Media Graphic
occupant protection - Safety Belts Save Lives - Buckle Up Religiously poster
11×17 Poster – Buckle Up Religiously!

Buckle Up Religiously outreach and education pieces created by the FDOT District Two’s Community Traffic Safety Program.

These are popular posters to display, tip cards to hand out, and flyers to insert in local church bulletins. Click on a graphic to download and print to distribute or share on social media. Please tag us on Facebook and Instagram @trafficsafetyteam and Twitter and LinkedIn @trafficsafetyfl and hashtag #BuckleUpReligiously

One Click Does the Trick art
Buckle Up Religiously Tip Card from 2015
Buckle Up Religiously art
Buckle Up Religiously Flyer from 2012

In addition, we hope you will explore and share more traffic safety information, tips, and resources. Please visit the following: