June 23, 2004
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm made a recent pit stop at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) to not only put in a plug for the venue’s popular summer racing season, but to promote the importance of safety belts.

While there, Granholm also presented Jeff Gordon, a four-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion, with a declaration marking June 9 as "Jeff Gordon Day." She then buckled up before taking a couple of laps around the two-mile oval at 155 mph, with Gordon at the wheel.

"There’s one thing Jeff Gordon and I have in common, we both wear our safety belts," Granholm said. "Buckling your safety belt protects your health and it’s the law. I encourage all residents to buckle up while exploring our great state this summer."

MIS is assisting the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) promote safety belt usage by hanging Click It or Ticket banners and reminding race fans to buckle up through announcements during June and August races.

"On and off the track, safety belts are the way to go," said MIS President Brett Shelton. "The safety equipment required by NASCAR is essential to the drivers. The same is true for the safety belts found in fans’ cars and trucks. We encourage race fans to be like their favorite drivers when they get in their vehicles by buckling up."

Michigan’s safety belt use rate is currently at an all-time high of 85 percent. OHSP estimates that for every 1 percent increase in belt use, 10 traffic deaths and 130 traffic injuries will be prevented. Through the Click It or Ticket campaign and law enforcement mobilizations, OHSP hopes to increase safety belt usage in Michigan to 90 percent in 2004.

The next Click It or Ticket mobilization will take place from Aug. 30 through Sept. 12.

For an electronic copy of a photograph of Granholm and Gordon, contact:
Lynn Sutfin, Office of Highway Safety Planning, (517) 333-5754

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.