The 2014 Battle of the Belt Challenge competition sponsored by the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety officially kicked off Wednesday.
Northwest Missouri high school students had to sign up by Sept. 26 to take part in the competition that runs Oct. 1 to Nov. 19. Participants could win cash and prizes just for buckling up.
“Nearly eight out of ten teens killed in Missouri vehicle crashes over the last three years weren’t buckled up,” said Leanna Depue, chair of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety’s executive committee. “The Battle of the Belt competition can make a difference with Missouri teens and save lives through education, competition and fun.”
The program consists of two surprise seat belt checks at each high school to measure student seat belt usage before and after an educational campaign on the importance of safety belt use. In addition, schools have the opportunity to submit a 30-second video spot aimed at encouraging their peers to buckle up. Statewide and regional cash prizes are awarded to schools reaching high safety belt usage rates to further educate the students on the importance of safety belt use.
Marsha Johnson with the Missouri Department of Transportation said from now until November 19 schools will hold surprise seat belt checks followed by several weeks of education and then a follow up sealt belt check.
According to MoDOT teen drivers are over represented in crashes both nationwide and in Missouri. Although comprising only seven percent of Missouri’s licensed drivers, they were involved in nearly 20 percent of the fatal and serious injury crashes over the last three years. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people 15-20 years old. Results of a 2013 survey among Missouri teens indicate 33 percent of teens are not wearing safety belts. According to the survey, even fewer Northwest Missouri teens buckle up – over 40 percent of Northwest Missouri teens do not use a safety belt.
Schools achieving Highest Overall Seat Belt Use and Most Improved Seat Belt Use regionally will receive $500.00 donated by American Family Insurance. Statewide recognition will be awarded with a banner for seat belt use rates of gold (99-100 percent), silver (95-98 percent) or bronze (91-94 percent) donated by the Missouri College of Emergency Physicians. The top three winning video spots will also receive funding to further seat belt educational programs.