/EINPresswire.com/ -- KANSAS CITY, MO--(Marketwired - November 17, 2016) - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 7 is joining in a national effort to send Thanksgiving travelers an important lifesaving reminder: Buckle Up-Every Trip. Every Time.

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year -- more people on the road increases the likelihood of a crash. During the 2015 Thanksgiving weekend alone, 301 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide -- 53 percent of those fatalities were not their wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

"More than half of all drivers and passengers killed in crashes on Thanksgiving weekend in 2015 weren't wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crash," said Susan DeCourcy, Regional Administrator, NHTSA Region 7. "This statistic is staggering since we know seat belt use is one of the simplest ways to stay safe when you're in a vehicle."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that proper seat belt use reduces the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury by 50 percent.

Younger Drivers and Males at Risk

NHTSA's research reveals that males are more likely to be unbuckled than females in a fatal crash, and that younger drivers are also at greater risk of being unbuckled in a fatal crash.

"Buckling your seat belt should be your first step every time you enter a vehicle," said Ms. DeCourcy. "Whether you're riding or driving, traveling just across town or across the country, please make sure you and your loved ones always wear seat belts -- this Thanksgiving and every day of the year. Just remember, Buckle Up-Every Trip. Every Time."

For more information about traveling safely during Thanksgiving, please visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov.

Sample Tweets:

Parents: Your teens look to you as a role model, so buckle up, and they will too. #Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time.

Buckling Up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. # Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time.

Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time. # Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time.

If you listen closely, the turkey is really saying, "Buckle, Buckle, Buckle". # Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time.