The Texas Department of Transportation (Tx-DOT) visited the school Monday, Feb. 7 with informational fliers and a totaled vehicle to promote the use of safety belts as a part of their “Click It or Ticket” campaign.

The vehicle, a 2005 Ford F-250 belonged to Ethan Mitchell, who flipped the pickup truck in 2009 after the front tire blew out. Both Mitchell and the other occupant, Trey Mohler, survived because of their use of the seat belts. Tx-DOT now shows this truck all around Texas to remind drivers and passengers alike to buckle up. Junior Issac Reyes said that seeing the truck increased his faith in the security of seat belts.

“It makes me feel safer now about wearing safety belts,” Reyes said.

All students questioned said they always wore their seat belts in the car. While wearing a seat belt is a good safety measure in itself, it is also illegal not to. For not buckling up, drivers and passengers can be fined up to $250. The damaged vehicle displayed consequences far beyond the financial cost of an accident.

“You always think that nothing is going to happen to you,” senior Claire Hallberg said.” When it does, it’s scarier than it seems it would be.”

Tx-DOT information said wearing a safety belt could reduce chances of serious injury or death in a wreck by 80 percent.

“Wearing seat belts is not a little thing; it’s a bigger situation,” junior Jackie Walsh said. “You should always wear it whether you think anything is going to happen or not.”

 Students can find out more information about “Click It or Ticket” at www.seatbeltsrock.com. While there, students can also send a Virtual Valentine to their sweeties and sign up for a chance to win a free iPad.