November’s Click It or Ticket campaign has begun, and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reminds motorists to always buckle up before hitting the road this Thanksgiving — and every day.

State and local police officers across Virginia will be on the lookout for unbelted motorists during Click It or Ticket, which runs from through Dec. 4. Click It or Ticket combines high visibility enforcement of seat belt and child safety seat laws with outreach and education.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belt users are 45 percent less likely to be fatally injured in a crash. In addition, statistics show that 79 percent of people ejected in a crash die; 30 percent of unbelted motorists are ejected during a crash.

“We want folks to have a fun and safe Thanksgiving,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “Wearing a seat belt is not just the law; it’s your single best defense against death or injury if you’re involved in a crash. Always buckle up and ensure that everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt or is secured in an appropriate child safety seat.”

Last year, nine people died in Virginia crashes during the five-day Thanksgiving holiday (Wednesday, Nov. 25-Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015). Two of the people who died were not wearing a seat belt. Four of the fatalities were alcohol-related.

“A safe ride home is always something to be grateful for,” Commissioner Holcomb continued. “We can’t control the actions of other drivers, but we can protect ourselves by always wearing a seat belt and never getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.”

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, all DMV customer service centers will be closed Thursday-Saturday. DMV customers are encouraged to save time — and perhaps a few dollars — by taking advantage of more than 40 transactions available online at dmvNOW.com. For example, a customer can renew his vehicle registration online over the holiday weekend and avoid a last-minute trip to DMV on Monday and a $5 in-person fee.