DOVER, Del. (May 5, 2026) – The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS), in partnership with state and local law enforcement, is reminding all Delawareans that roadway safety starts with simple choices: watch for motorcycles and buckle up every trip, every time.

As May marks Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Click It or Ticket seat belt safety campaign runs May through June, OHS is encouraging both drivers and riders to commit to safer roadways for everyone.

Click it or Ticket Enforcement Campaign

OHS is supporting the Click It or Ticket campaign, a high-visibility enforcement effort focused on increasing seat belt use statewide. The goal is not just to issue citations, but to save lives and reinforce the importance of occupant protection.

Running from May through June, Click It or Ticket combines increased law enforcement presence with public education to remind drivers and passengers that seat belts remain one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent serious injury or death in a crash.

Recent Delaware occupant protection data highlights the ongoing need for seat belt use:

• 76% of unrestrained individuals involved in crashes are drivers, while 24% are passengers
• New Castle County accounts for 61% of all unrestrained crashes, followed by Sussex County at 24% and Kent County at 15%
• Fridays and Saturdays are the most common days for unrestrained crashes
• Delaware’s most recent seat belt survey, conducted in 2025, shows a usage rate of 93.9%

OHS also reminds drivers and passengers to wear their seat belts correctly:

• Place the shoulder belt across the middle of the chest and away from the neck
• Position the lap belt low across the hips, not the stomach
• Never place the seat belt behind your back or under your arm
• Airbags are designed to be used in conjunction with safety belts, not in place of

For more information on seat belt safety and the Click It or Ticket campaign, visit ArriveAliveDE.com/Buckle-up or NHTSA.gov/vehicle-safety/seat-belts

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

With warmer weather bringing more motorcycles to Delaware roads and increased travel statewide, drivers must remain alert and aware of motorcyclists, who are among the most vulnerable roadway users. Without the protection of a vehicle frame, seat belts, or airbags, riders face a much greater risk of serious injury or death in a crash.

Drivers play a critical role in preventing these tragedies by checking blind spots, giving motorcycles the full lane they deserve, and looking twice before turning or changing lanes. Riders are also encouraged to prioritize visibility, follow traffic laws, and always ride sober.

Tips for Motorcyclists:

• Make yourself as visible as possible
• Look out for hazards
• Respect the rules of the road
• Watch out for others
• Ride sober

Tips for Drivers:

• Keep a safe distance
• Check your blind spots
• Look before you turn
• Give motorcycles the whole lane
• Remember, your car can kill

To learn more about motorcycle safety, visit ArriveAliveDE.com/respect-the-ride/ or NHTSA.gov/road-safety/motorcycles.

About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues, such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com. Follow OHS on the Delaware Office of Highway Safety website, Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

###

Media Contact:

Delaware Office of Highway Safety

Caitlin Reed

Caitlin.Reed@Delaware.gov

302-744-2746

Print