Make our Roads Safer: We challenge you. Buckle Up, Phone Down!
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, is Buckle Up Phone Down Day! South Dakota is one of 28 states that participate in the Buckle Up Phone Down (BUPD) safety campaign. The Buckle Up Phone Down challenge is simple: when you get into any vehicle, buckle up your seatbelt. If you are a driver, put the cell phone down. Turn it off if you have to. Every trip, every time!
Distracted driving and unbelted occupants are two of the leading causes of fatal and serious injury crashes in South Dakota. According to the 2024 South Dakota Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), South Dakota averaged 240 fatal and serious injuries crashes involving unbelted vehicle occupants between 2018-2022.
Drivers can take many actions to be safer behind the wheel but two of these actions can dramatically impact safety for all motorists. First, drivers can put their phones down when they are behind the wheel. Next, people must buckle up each and every time they get in a vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, wearing your seatbelt as a front-seat passenger can limit your chances of moderate to severe injury by 50% and of dying by 45%.
Creating a community where safety takes precedence over convenience takes a commitment to change. That’s why we’re asking YOU to take the pledge: Buckle Up and put your Phone Down so that you can be prepared and aware while driving. Take the pledge to put on your seatbelt and put down your phone when you drive so that your body and your attention stay where they need to be. Or, if you’re a passenger, encourage the person driving to wear their seatbelt and put their phone down.
After you take the pledge, we encourage you to share your BUPD commitment with others using our social media hashtag of #WhyIBUPD; let us know why you’re taking the pledge to create a safer community. Help us spread the word by downloading the BUPD Starter Kit that includes talking points, social media posts, and a sample news release!
Take the pledge, download the starter kit, and find additional resources at https://sdbupd.org/.