National Seat Belt Day

National Seat Belt Day, observed annually on November 14, is a committed reminder to buckle up every time we ride in a vehicle—front seat or back.

History of National Seat Belt Day

The day was officially launched in 2019 through a collaboration between the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), Volvo and Uber to mark the 60th anniversary of the modern three-point seat belt invented in 1959. That invention—credited to Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin—was made freely available to other car manufacturers and became foundational for vehicle safety.
From the first observance, November 14 was selected as the fixed date—to emphasise that safety habits should apply all the time, not just during travel-weeks.

Why is National Seat Belt Day important?

Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest yet most effective actions a person can take to protect themselves and others in a crash. Research shows that seat belts reduce fatalities by roughly 45 % for front-seat occupants and reduce serious injuries by about 50 %.
Yet many trips—short rides, back-seat journeys, rideshares—are taken without full attention to buckling up. This day draws attention to those moments, reinforcing that “clicking” the belt is the first step of safe travel.

• It reminds all vehicle occupants—drivers and passengers—to wear a seat belt every trip.
• It highlights how a basic safety feature remains vital despite advances in vehicle technology.
• It supports efforts to reduce traffic-crash deaths and serious injuries.
• It encourages education of young drivers and back-seat passengers about restraint habits.
• It underscores that safety is a shared responsibility, whether in your own car or a rideshare.

How to Observe National Seat Belt Day

Observing this day doesn’t require a big event—just intentional behaviour and perhaps a little outreach. On a practical level, it’s about checking that everyone in your vehicle is buckled, using the correct belt, and helping those around you do the same. Emotionally, it’s a moment to appreciate the lives saved by this simple habit—and to commit to making it a non-negotiable behaviour.
You might set a “buckled up, every ride” pledge for yourself and your family, or share reminders via social media or at your community or workplace to spread awareness.

• Before each journey, ensure all occupants are wearing their seat belts properly.
• Make sure children and rear-seat passengers are also secured.
• Share a photo or message using a hashtag like #NationalSeatBeltDay to raise awareness.
• In a rideshare or taxi, don’t skip the belt—even if the ride is short.
• Talk to young or new drivers in your life about why seat-belt use matters and how to form the habit.

National Seat Belt Day Dates Table