Gov. Jon Corzine, along with the U.S. transportation secretary, continued Friday to urge people to buckle up this holiday weekend.

In a public service announcement released Thursday, Corzine asked New Jersey residents not to make the same mistake he did. Corzine nearly died in a car accident last month in which he was not wearing his seatbelt.

At the governor?s mansion Friday, Corzine and Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said it was especially important to buckle up this holiday weekend.

?I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, every time, every ride, buckle up,? Corzine said.

Highway safety experts say summer is the most deadly season on New Jersey roads.

?On average in New Jersey, we lose about 200 people every summer because of drive trips,? said NJ Director of Highway Safety Pam Fischer.

Statistics show 509 people were killed in New Jersey last year driving or riding in vehicles. Of those 217 weren?t wearing seatbelts.

Meanwhile, Corzine also said Friday he would consider raising the penalties for people caught not using seatbelts. However, he said he hopes education and his own example will be enough to get everyone to buckle up.

Click here to watch Governor Corzine?s PSA.

To also view the complete PSA, go to channel 612 on you iO digital cable box and select iO extra.

Related Information:Gov. Corzine's seat belt PSA hits the airwaves