Don’t Turn Thanksgiving into a Tragedy This Year, Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time

The Ocean City Police Department is reminding highway travelers this Thanksgiving that the only belt that should be left unbuckled this year, or any year, is the one holding up your trousers--not the seat belts in your car.

“Seat belts have saved more lives than any other single piece of automotive safety equipment,” said Chief Bernadette DiPino. “But in order for them to work, they have to be used. This Thanksgiving, and every day and night of the year, make sure you buckle up your seat belt and you’ll have the opportunity to unbuckle that other belt at the feast table with your family and friends.”

Nationally, during the Thanksgiving holiday period in 2009 (which ran from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, to 5:59 a.m., Monday, November 30), 303 passenger vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, including 115 during daylight hours (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) and 187 during night time (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.). One fatality occurred during an unknown time period.

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