Memorial Day weekend is finally here and summer is right around the corner with all the barbecues and parties to go along with that sunny weather. With so many folks hitting the road this weekend, Uber Colorado is excited to partner with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) as part of the national Memorial Day ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign to raise awareness of the importance of wearing your seatbelt while sitting in the back seat.

The most recent data shows that 87 percent of drivers and front seat passengers wore their seat belts in 2014 — but unfortunately belt use in the back seat was only 73 percent for passengers age eight and older. That same year, more than 800 back seat passengers were killed — unbuckled — in car crashes. Tragically, nearly half of them could have survived if they had only worn their seat belt.

“We’re extremely pleased to have Uber as a partner during our Click It or Ticket enforcement period because now we have the opportunity to reach a unique audience. Whenever you ride in a car, you need to buckle up, and that’s still true even if you’re riding in the back seat.” – Sam Cole, CDOT’s Safety Communications Manager 

That’s why we are working to do our part to raise awareness across the state of Colorado this Memorial Day holiday with Uber driver-partners and riders:

MD Mobile Message

  • Be on the lookout for in-app reminder messages to buckle up – every seat, every time.
  • Join Uber and CDOT in taking the Lil’ Mac Pledge to always buckle up.  The Lil’ Mac Pledge is in memory of Mackenzie Forrest, who tragically died in a crash on March 13 when she wasn’t wearing her seat belt. Seat belts reduce the risk of death in a crash by 45 percent, so make sure you and your friends buckle up every ride, and remember, kindness matters!

We wish everyone an enjoyable and safe Memorial Day weekend. And don’t forget to buckle up in the back!