Uniontown, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) partnered with the Highway Safety Network and State Farm today at the Washington Wild Things baseball game to urge motorists to buckle up as part of the National "Click it or Ticket" Enforcement Mobilization that runs through June 4.
In between innings, a Highway Safety Network Coordinator and State Farm Agents threw stress balls with a "Buckle Up" safety message into the crowd alongside the Washington Wild Thing team mascot. Seat belt safety messages were announced throughout the game.
"The safety of our residents across the region is a top priority. It is important that we share our platform with great partners to reinforce a message that can save lives," said Washington Wild Things President and General Manager Tony Buccilli. "Whether heading to the ballpark or driving around daily, Wild Thing and our team encourage you to buckle up."
From 2018 to 2022, there were 3,797 crashes in PennDOT District 12 (Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties) where at least one occupant was not wearing a seat belt, resulting in 190 fatalities. Washington County made up 1,015 of those crashes and 43 fatalities.
PennDOT reminds motorists that wearing your seat belt is your best defense against injury or death in the event of a crash. A seat belt increases your chances of surviving a crash by up to 60 percent. Despite this, far too many motorists still refuse to buckle up for a variety of reasons.
There is NO excuse not to buckle up.
For more information on seat belt safety, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/Safety.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties at PennDOT District 12.
Information about infrastructure in District 12, including completed work and significant projects, is available at District 12 Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at PennDOT Projects.
Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.
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