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CDOT Reveals They're Behind Cryptic Billboards In Denver, Colorado Springs

DENVER (CBS4) - Over the last week drivers in Denver and Colorado Springs might have noticed billboards popping up with sayings like "Brian Damage" or "Windshield Ejection," but it wasn't clear what they were for. Now the Colorado Department of Transportation admits to being behind the cryptic ads.

The billboards are now being updated with images of seat belts over the phrases. CDOT says they serve as a reminder that by buckling up people can possibly prevent the worst outcomes in a crash.

According to CDOT, photos of the billboards reached more than 220,000 people and received 10,000 post interactions on social media.

The billboards are part of CDOT's Click It or Ticket campaign that sees increased seat belt enforcement from May 11 to May 31.

CDOT also has launched a radio campaign and has put ads on gas pumps at 60 gas stations.

"You're 30 times more likely to be ejected in a crash if you're not wearing a seat belt," CDOT Communications Manager Sam Cole said in a statement. "Buckling up is the most effective way to protect yourself in a crash, but many people don't take the few seconds to do it. To remind people to wear a seat belt, CDOT is developing unique and innovative tactics that grab attention and reignite the seat belt conversation."

In 2104 there were 156 people killed in crashes in Colorado who weren't wearing a seat belt.

Additional Information From CDOT

Colorado's Seat Belt Laws

Adults – Colorado has a secondary enforcement law for adult drivers and front-seat passengers. Drivers can be ticketed for violating the seat belt law if they are stopped for another traffic violation. Click It or Ticket enforcement focuses on speeding and aggressive drivers. Drivers who are stopped for a traffic violation and are not using a seat belt will be ticketed. The minimum fine is $65.
Teens – Colorado's Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) law requires all drivers under 18 and their passengers, no matter what their age, to wear seat belts. This is primary enforcement, meaning teens can be pulled over simply for not wearing a seat belt or having passengers without seat belts.
Children – Colorado's child passenger safety law is primary enforcement, meaning the driver can be stopped and ticketed if an officer sees an unrestrained or improperly restrained child under age 16 in the vehicle.

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