Do you make sure your kids are buckled up when riding in the car? Sure you do when they're little and using car seats, but what about as they get older?  Is it just too much trouble sometimes?

Buckling up is such an important habit to instill in children at a young age. Parents need to lead by example and reinforce the message to make sure it sticks. And, there is a new advertising campaign beginning that urges parents to never give up until their kids buckle up.

A recent series of NHTSA focus groups found seat belt use can fall by the wayside when shuttling kids to and from school and activities, when running short errands, or when parents are a bit worn down by the daily grind, which makes this campaign urgently important.

Seat belts save lives and NHTSA data show that as children get older they are less likely to buckle up. Over the past 5 years, 1,552 kids between the ages of 8 and 14 died in car, SUV and van crashes – of those who died, almost half were unbelted.

The percentage of child passengers who die while riding unrestrained generally increases with age and is most pronounced among 13- and 14-year-olds regardless of seating position.

Tweens test the limits, because it’s how they learn and grow. The focus groups confirmed that it’s critical that they absorb the message now that the car doesn’t move until everyone in the vehicle is buckled up. After a while, it won’t be a fight; it will be second nature. And it is a lifesaving lesson that they’ll carry with them always.