UToledo Health Hosts Annual ‘Click it or Ticket’ Kickoff for Lucas County

May 12, 2026 - 09:39

The University of Toledo Medical Center hosted its annual "Click it or Ticket" kickoff event this week, bringing together hospital staff, Ohio Highway Patrol troopers, and local elected officials to promote seat belt safety across Lucas County.

The event, held on the UTMC campus, marked the official start of the 2026 enforcement and awareness campaign. Organizers emphasized that wearing a seat belt remains the single most effective way to prevent death or serious injury in a crash. According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, nearly half of all vehicle occupants killed in Ohio crashes last year were not wearing seat belts.

"Every day in our emergency room, we see the consequences of that one simple decision not to buckle up," said a UTMC trauma surgeon during the kickoff. "This campaign saves lives by reminding people that a click is a two-second habit that can prevent a lifetime of grief."

The Ohio Highway Patrol will increase enforcement through May, with extra patrols targeting intersections and highways known for low compliance rates. Lucas County commissioners also voiced support, noting that the campaign reduces the financial burden of trauma care on local hospitals and taxpayers.

UTMC has hosted the kickoff for over a decade, reinforcing the hospital's role in community injury prevention. The event included a display of a crashed vehicle to illustrate the physical force of an unbelted collision.