The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is urging residents to participate in the ninth annual “Buckle Up Phone Down Day” on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The campaign asks drivers and passengers to wear seat belts and avoid using phones while driving.
The initiative began with the Missouri Department of Transportation in 2017 and has since expanded nationwide. It focuses on promoting two safety measures: buckling up and eliminating phone distractions behind the wheel.
“There is no excuse for using your phone while driving or failing to buckle up,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Laoise King. “Ensuring that everyone is buckled up and the driver is free from distractions can significantly enhance safety for everyone on the road. On October 29, and every day, we encourage motorists to adopt these simple yet impactful habits.”
Data from 2023 shows that more than 10,000 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants died in crashes across the United States. In Connecticut alone, 71 people were killed last year while not wearing seat belts.
Distracted driving remains a significant issue both nationally and within Connecticut. According to figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving led to 3,275 deaths nationwide in 2023. In Connecticut during that same year, there were over 5,200 distracted driving crashes resulting in more than 700 injuries and a dozen fatalities.
CTDOT encourages businesses to establish policies requiring all employees in company vehicles to wear seat belts and prohibiting cell phone use by drivers. Research indicates these policies help reduce accidents and fatalities.
Residents and organizations are invited to join the Buckle Up Phone Down challenge by sharing photos or videos featuring a “thumbs up-thumbs down” gesture on social media with #BUPD and #BUPDDay hashtags.
