Good morning. I'm Lyndo Tippett, Secretary of the Department of Transportation.

It's a pleasure to stand with law enforcement officers from across North Carolina who are here to kick off the spring "Click It or Ticket" campaign.

Before we get started, I would like to recognize the people who are joining me onstage.

It is my pleasure to introduce two people who make highway safety -- and specifically seat belt and child safety seat use -- a top priority.

Please join me in welcoming Colonel Richard Holden, Commander of the State Highway Patrol -- and Paul Jones, Director of the North Carolina Safe Kids/Buckle Up Program and former Governor's Highway Safety Program Director.

Also in our audience, we have DMV Colonel David Richards and Acting DMV Commissioner Gene Cella.

(LEAD APPLAUSE.)

I'd also like to recognize Don Nail, our new acting director of the Governor's Highway Safety Program, who I know will do a great job.

Beginning today, with the official start of "Click It or Ticket," these officers standing behind me and their colleagues will be stepping up enforcement of seat belt and child passenger safety laws.

If we all buckle up -- and make sure our children are safely and correctly restrained -- we’ll save dozens of lives and prevent hundreds of serious and disabling injuries each year.

Our "Click It or Ticket" program's success led a former U.S. Transportation Secretary to hail it as the "model for the nation."

Well, it’s not just talk anymore.

One week from today, seven additional states throughout the Southeast will kick off their own "Click It or Ticket" campaigns.

Joining us in this remarkable effort will be Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Law enforcement officers throughout these states will conduct checkpoints, step up patrols and hold child passenger safety clinics to help motorists understand the importance of buckling up on each and every trip.

We are proud that our neighbors recognize the lifesaving value of what has become standard operation here -- and we wish them much more than just good luck in this endeavor.

We wish them what North Carolina has achieved through "Click It or Ticket" -- a significant increase in seat belt and child safety seat use - and a significant reduction in the number of fatal and serious-injury traffic crashes.

In addition to stepping up enforcement, we’re asking officers to step up their public education efforts.

While we firmly believe that everyone should be buckled up at all times, we know it’s not always the case.

There is compelling proof that seat belts and safety seats save lives, but that’s just not enough to persuade some people to buckle up.

North Carolina legislators recognized that fact, and last year passed a new law for drivers who travel with children.

If you haven’t heard about it before, take it from me -- if a law enforcement officer sees you traveling with unrestrained children, you’ll see two points on your driver’s license.

Since "Click It or Ticket" began in 1993, North Carolina’s seat belt use rate has jumped from 65 percent to the current high of nearly 82 percent, which is well above the national average.

As a result, fatal and serious injuries have declined by 14 percent, and more than $135 million has been saved in health care costs.

I want to make one thing clear: "Click It or Ticket" isn't just about writing tickets.

It’s about saving lives and preventing injuries on our roadways.

The result of all that work is clearly evident in the fact that more people are obeying the law and buckling up.

I thank these officers for that, and I ask everyone to join me in recognizing this extraordinary achievement.

(LEAD APPLAUSE.)

I am proud to introduce Col. Richard Holden, commander of the State Highway Patrol.

He is here to speak on behalf of all North Carolina law enforcement, and the commitment to increase not only enforcement but also public education.

Colonel, I’d like to let everyone know that your personal commitment to "Click It or Ticket" will send you on the road next week.

Beginning next Tuesday in Charlotte, where a second "Click It or Ticket’ event will be held, Col. Holden will join Col. Ralph Mobley ("moe-blee") of South Carolina and Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Grimes of the Georgia State Patrol to promote this important regional initiative.

This impressive trio will speak to similar crowds in Columbia, South Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia.

I thank you for taking the time to spread North Carolina’s lifesaving message across the borders.

(COL. HOLDEN SPEAKS.)

Thank you, Colonel.

We are grateful for your commitment for occupant protection, and for the support demonstrated by law enforcement officers across North Carolina.

At this time I’d like to turn things over to Paul Jones, Director of the North Carolina Safe Kids/Buckle Up Program.

This group is responsible for providing child passenger safety technical training to countless law enforcement officers, fire and rescue personnel, and other child and highway safety advocates.

In addition, they assist the Governor’s Highway Safety Program in providing free safety seats and training to low-income families across the state.

Paul, please come forward.

(PAUL JONES GIVES REMARKS.)

Thank you, Paul.

There is no doubt that a driver’s actions can save children from serious injury in traffic crashes.

I encourage all parents – indeed, everyone who travels with children – to learn from these crashes, which had such different outcomes.

We must ensure that everyone is buckled up on each and every trip.

And if you’re one of the few motorists in North Carolina who has never encountered a "Click It or Ticket" checkpoint, I urge you go to Pullen Park just after this event.

A multi-agency "Click It or Ticket" checkpoint and child passenger safety clinic is getting underway right now near the pool on Ashe Avenue, just off Western Boulevard.

I especially encourage members of the media to attend, as you do so much to help us spread this lifesaving message to the motoring public.

I hope you'll take advantage of this important event, or one of the thousands of checkpoints and clinics that will be conducted in the next three weeks.

Thank you again for attending, and remember -- when you leave here today, and no matter where you drive, please, buckle up.