Stopping Missouri Car Accidents – MoDOT issues challenge to teens

Post Date: October 7th, 2010

In 2009, the Missouri Department of Transportation challenged teenagers to wear their seat belts. The reason for the challenge was to create awareness of the dangers of not wearing a seat belt and awarded high schools with the highest percentage increase in seat belt use to high schools that accepted the challenge. Over 200 high schools in Missouri participated and teenagers learned the importance that seat belts have on their safety while in a motor vehicle.

Since the 2009 buckle-up challenge, more teenagers are using their seat belts. According to the most recent survey, teenagers using seat belts increased by 5% from 61%. An increase of seat belt usage is a victory, but that still leaves 34% of teenagers who are putting themselves at a greater risk. The Missouri Department of transportation is inviting teenagers once again with the 2010 Battle of the Belt Challenge to try to reach that 34%.  As a Missouri Car Accident Lawyer, I am happy to hear about this program.  I see examples everyday of needless injuries occuring due to the lack of a seatbelt.

The statewide challenge began on October 4, 2010 and will end on November 19, 2010. The Battle of the Belt will educate teenage drivers about the importance of using their seat belt and help save lives. During the challenge MoDOT and high schools will issue reminders and provide demonstrations to students to educate them on the risks of not wearing their seat belts. During the competition, each participating high school will have a couple of surprise seat belt checkpoints in order to measure the usage of seat belts by the students.

During the challenge each high school will be given the opportunity to make a 30-second public announcement video that is aimed at teenagers to wear their seat belts. The 2009 video contest was awarded to Washington High School in Washington, Missouri, for their “Everyone’s a Winner When You Buckle Up” campaign. You can view their race to secure their seat belts at saveMOlives.com and get inspired.

Cash prizes will be awarded both statewide and regionally to high schools that reach the highest seat belt use. These incentives will encourage teenagers to wear their seat belts and to not become a statistic. Every time a student puts on their seat belt, they reduce their risk of being fatally injured in a car accident. The incentives involved in the challenge mean nothing then the increase in teenagers wearing their seat belts and a decrease in fatalities in motor vehicle accidents.

There are many organizations to thank for making the challenge possible. St. John’s Hospital and the Missouri Emergency Nurses Association introduced the seat belt challenge in Southwest Missouri because the number of teenagers killed in car accidents was devastating. American Family Insurance and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety joined the fight in 2006 to help sponsor the program as a competition that extended across the state to get more students involved.

Tags: Buckle-Up Challenge, MoDot, Seatbelts
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