The University of Toledo
05/12/2026 | Press release | Archived content
UToledo Health Hosts Annual ‘Click It or Ticket’ Kickoff for Lucas County
UToledo Health Hosts Annual 'Click It or Ticket' Kickoff for Lucas County
Medical providers from the University of Toledo Medical Center joined area first responders and elected officials to kick off the 2026 "Click It or Ticket" campaign for the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department.
Held outside of the UTMC trauma entrance, the event highlighted the importance of buckling up for every trip, no matter the distance.
U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur joined University of Toledo Medical Center staff alongside members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol to kick off the 2026 "Click It or Ticket" campaign for the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department.
"The most dramatic crashes happen close to home," said Julia Benfield, UTMC emergency department nursing director. "Seat belts are the cheapest life insurance policy you can use."
According to the state of Ohio, 61% of people killed in a vehicular crash weren't wearing a seat belt in 2025.
Dr. Forest Sheppard, trauma medical director at UTMC, said he and his entire department see too many preventable injuries and deaths firsthand from people simply not wearing a seat belt.
"Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of fatal injury by 40% in a car, and up to 60% in trucks," Sheppard said. "Buckle up every time, keep families whole. Make it non-negotiable."
"It can be the difference between going home sore or not going home at all," Benfield added.
U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur joined UTMC staff alongside members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol for the press conference. Afterward, attendees were invited to take part in the "Quick Click Challenge," a game where teams race to buckle up correctly, reinforcing the life-saving importance of proper seat belt use.
Demonstrations also showcased how seat belts should fit, including guidance for pregnant women to help ensure safety for both mother and baby.
From left, Adrienne Justen, a registered dietician for UTMC, and Arlene Hampton, a licensed practical nurse, run in the team race to see who can get seated and buckled fastest during the "Click It or Ticket" event.
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