


INTRODUCTION
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority are encouraging Oklahomans to drive safely this year by emphasizing the importance of seat belt safety and work zone safety. Click on the tabs above or continue scrolling to find more information about the resources available to you, our state’s progress and why buckling your seat belt and driving slow in work zones helps saves lives.
SEAT BELT SAFETY
INTRODUCTION
The national estimate of seat belt use by adult front-seat passengers in 2020 was 90.3 percent. In Oklahoma, the seat belt usage is 84 percent — ranking us at No. 43 nationally. Though 84 percent may seem high to some, we can and should aim higher when so many fatalities are preventable.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is supporting increased seat belt usage statewide as one of Oklahoman’s Top Ten initiatives with a goal of increasing usage by 10 percent within the next few years.
Did you know wearing your seat belt could reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent? The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority ask motorists to be our safety partners by buckling up each and every time they get into a vehicle.

Seat belts are the most effective safety feature available in vehicles today.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Buckling Up Makes a Difference
Shelly Williams speaks out about the importance of buckling your seat belt and shares how the loss of her 17-year-old son, Cody, in a crash still impacts her family today.
No Excuses
Whatever your excuse is, it’s not good enough. Wear your seat belt — It’s Not Just About You.
I Buckle
These Oklahomans buckle up. Do you?
Buckle Up OK
The most important decision you can make.
SEAT BELT SAFETY RESOURCES
WORK ZONE SAFETY
INTRODUCTION
Did you know the top three causes of work zone fatalities are speeding, following too closely and distracted driving? Eliminating these dangerous driving habits will help keep you and others safe. Work zones change frequently, and many new ones may be put in place as the construction season continues. We urge drivers to check for work zones before travelling by using our app, checking traffic advisories or a map of current work zones at www.odot.org or viewing current traffic conditions at www.oktraffic.org.
We want to thank drivers for paying attention in work zones, obeying the speed limits and leaving adequate distance between themselves and workers and other cars.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Slow Down in Work Zones
Use caution in all work zones.
Honoring the Fallen
Oklahoma Department of Transportation
Sixty-one ODOT employees have lost their lives in work zones in the department’s history. ODOT has lost more employees in the line of duty than any other state agency other than the military.
James Dawkins
B. A. Reynolds
Henry Cornelius
L. C. Sanders
Jim Nash
James A. Lile
Lawrence E. Lane
Lawrence A. Felkel Jr.
Connell R. Duncan
James Johnson
Alex Morgan
Arthur L. Dooley
Coy Blair
Cecil Honsinger
Riley D. Wilson
William S. Nichols
Leonard Spain
Clarence L. Clay
Alex Manous
Hugh E. Storts
7/21/1931
5/14/1940
11/9/1953
11/15/1953
8/17/1955
3/25/1957
3/25/1957
3/25/1957
6/19/1958
8/819/58
11/27/1958
11/27/1958
12/24/1958
10/7/1960
3/9/1961
5/7/1963
6/4/1963
7/24/1963
4/16/1964
7/3/1964
F. Leonard Stroyick
James Earldon Rose
Carl M. Strain
Overton Love
Norris D. Crager
Sammie D. Wilson
Ray Caldwell
F. W. Motley
Donald Killian
Austion Behn
Tom Carlile
Luey V. Holland
Oather J. Dryden
Clarence Maggard
John E. Botts
Orville E. Holman
Pat Hobbs
Oscar Standeford Jr.
Joe K. Battle
James D. Berry
Paul E. Hatcher
5/25/1965
11/8/1965
12/3/1965
11/22/1966
7/28/1967
8/10/1967
9/11/67
9/2/1969
6/8/1970
11/9/1970
5/18/1971
7/16/1971
2/18/1972
3/13/1973
10/10/1973
10/7/1975
4/4/1977
9/7/1977
7/24/1978
9/6/1978
1/24/1979
V. Lanell Shindler
Robert L. Scott
Donald D. Boyd
Robert Keesee
Gene Boatright
Leon N. Harp Sr.
Roy B. Bowman
Herbert A. Albers
Gary D. Ledbetter
Carolyn Woods
Judd Faudree
Robert Cherry
A.C. Evans
Terry Clubb
Ira Henderson
Tim Vandiver
Gordon Pipkin
Jerald Warden
Jarrell Gray
Rickie Nichols Jr.
7/26/1982
9/10/1984
10/7/1987
3/10/1988
2/21/1990
10/23/1991
9/7/1993
6/15/1994
6/26/1998
12/1/1998
12/28/2005
6/8/2007
9/8/2010
6/14/2011
11/30/2011
6/25/2012
6/5/2015
6/11/2015
5/18/2016
5/10/2018
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Virgil “Jack” Holland
Charles Looney
James Stanfill
Gerald Hendrick
Floyd Nelson
James Jones
Robert Williams Jr.
Henry Wheeler
Elvin Shipman
Jack Wofford
John Page
Turner Turnpike
Will Rogers Turnpike
Turner Turnpike
Turner Turnpike
Will Rogers Turnpike
Will Rogers Turnpike
Indian Nation Turnpike
Cimarron Turnpike
Cimarron Turnpike
Will Rogers Turnpike
Indian Nation Turnpike
7/13/1966
8/22/1967
6/3/1976
9/6/1981
8/22/1984
1/4/1985
7/11/1986
4/12/1993
6/23/1996
3/5/1999
6/22/1999
WORK ZONE SAFETY RESOURCES
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY
INTRODUCTION
In 2020 – 61 motorcyclists died on Oklahoma roadways.
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Here are the facts:
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Per miles traveled, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to die in a crash.
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30% of crash fatalities were caused by motorcyclists driving without a valid motorcycle license.
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NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,872 motorcyclists in 2017.
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In Oklahoma alone, 62% of motorcycle fatalities were caused by drivers not wearing a helmet.
It’s easy to do better. By working to do these simple steps before getting on your motorcycle, you can protect yourself, other drivers and your loved ones. Remember, It’s Not Just About You.
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Always make sure to obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits and lane markings.
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Check all aspects of your motorcycle before your ride.
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Wear your helmet, and make sure it’s the right size too.

Experienced riders know local traffic laws - and they don't take risks.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Share the Road
Motorcycle safety means looking twice. Remember to share the road.
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY RESOURCES
SECURE YOUR LOAD
INTRODUCTION
“Secure Your Load” is a national campaign designed to remind and encourage drivers to make sure whatever they’re hauling in their vehicle is secure.
Oklahoma Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority are joining Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office and Department of Public Safety to recognize National Secure Your Load Day Monday, June 6. Gov. Stitt declared June 6-12 as Secure Your Load Week in the state of Oklahoma.
This campaign makes for safer roads and helps reduce litter in the state, of which ODOT and OTA maintenance forces spend more than $6 million to clean highways of debris and litter annually, in addition to the efforts of many volunteers.
Nationally in 2019, there were 739 deaths and nearly 90,000 crashes caused by road debris. In the past three years in Oklahoma, 17 motorists were killed in unsecured load-related crashes. Drivers can decrease their chances of being involved in a road debris crash by securing vehicle loads, maintaining their vehicle and driving defensively.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Secure Your Load Comic Book
A message from DOT - The Safety Sentinel
Securing your load on your vehicle can save lives and the planet. Did you know:
A 20-pound object at 55 mph has a force of 1,000 pounds at impact.
(Source: Robin Abel, Secure Your Load Day founder)
More than 1 billion pieces of litter from unsecured loads were estimated among U.S. roadways in 2020.
(Source: Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Litter Study)
Drivers can decrease their chances of being involved in a road debris crash by:
Identifying the type of cargo being transported ahead of time to make sure you have the right devices or equipment to secure safely. Cargo must be secured against leaking, spilling, blowing or falling from your vehicle.
Securing Vehicle Loads: When moving or towing furniture, it is important to make sure all items are secured. Inspect devices and anchor points regularly to ensure they’re not damaged, defective or weakened. Cargo securement devices must not be defective or weakened.
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To properly secure a load, drivers should:
Tie down load with rope, netting or straps
Tie large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer
Cover the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting
Don’t overload the vehicle
Always double check load to make sure it is secure
Maintaining Vehicles: Badly worn or underinflated tires often suffer blowouts that can leave pieces of tire on the roadway. Exhaust systems and the hardware that attach to the vehicle also can rust and corrode, causing mufflers and other parts to drag and eventually break loose. Potential tire and exhaust system problems easily can be spotted by trained mechanics.
Driving Defensively: Drivers should avoid tailgating and continually search the road at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead for debris. If you see you are about to make contact with debris, safely reduce your speed as much as possible prior to making contact.
CAR SEAT SAFETY
INTRODUCTION
Did you know car crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13? Ensure your child is buckled up safely by carefully selecting the correct car seat type and following the recommendations below.
How to choose a car seat:
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Learn about the four car seat types:
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Rear-facing car seat
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Forward-facing car seat
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Booster seat
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Seat belt
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Install your car seat correctly
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Keep your child safe in a car seat

How to choose a car seat:
Learn about the four car seat types:
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Rear-facing car seat
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Forward-facing car seat
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Booster seat
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Seat belt
Install your car seat correctly
Keep your child safe in a car seat
Car Seat Recommendations:
As children grow, how they sit in your car will change. Make sure you use a car seat that fits your child’s current size and age.
Not all car seats fit in all vehicles. Make sure the car seat is the right fit for your vehicle (PDF, 1.77 MB). Test the car seat you plan to buy to make sure it fits well in your vehicle.
Buy a car seat that can be installed and used correctly every time.
Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.
CAR SEAT SAFETY RESOURCES
MEDIA
PRESS KIT


ODOT and OTA employees joined together on Friday, April 15, for the reading of the names of the two agencies’ 72 fallen workers and for a moment of silence to honor those who gave their lives in service to the state.
CONTACT
Want to learn more about Driving Safely in Oklahoma? Reach out to us and let us know how we can help.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation
200 N.E. 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105