The Problem

“Imagine a typical American high school. The student body is about to vanish—unless they take one simple act. But they don’t do it. Instead of taking one small precaution, they die.” (A National Agenda for Increasing Safety Belt Use Among Teenagers.) This year the equivalent of an entire high school—at least 900 15-20 year-olds will die in motor vehicle crashes because they were not wearing safety belts. We’d like to prevent the tragedy of losing even one teenager in Nebraska.

Teenagers account for 7% of the licensed drivers in Nebraska, but they account for 25% of reported crashes. They account for 43% of crashes where speed was the main cause. At the same time, young people 16 to 24 years old had the lowest observed seat belt usage rate of any other age group in 2006. More than 1 in 5 do not use their safety belt, and in some parts of Nebraska, fewer than 1 in 3 buckle up.

Teens are more likely to crash but less likely to be belted. Because of that, they have an increased chance of being hurt or killed in a crash. Crashes are the leading cause of death for teens.

Clearly, one way to protect our teens is to emphasize the importance of buckling up—every trip, every time.

Come Home Safe project

We are pleased to offer an incentive for Nebraska High Schools to check students for safety belt compliance during homecoming season in the fall.

Rules to Play/How to Win

Checks are at your choice of location around Homecoming time and can be done by either staff, students, the local Rotary, Optimists, parents, MADD chapter, school board, or Jaycees, whoever is interested in safety in your community.
Checks can be done at a regular day of school or at a football game or other event. The more cars that are included in the observation, the better.
Checks cannot be pre-announced. Anyone arriving in the parking lot should be surprised that the checks are occurring. Important: You can’t just say wear your belt to the check—the message is Every Trip, Every Time.
General education about safety belt use is encouraged for not only the kids but also parents, so newsletter articles or whatever parent communication you do should include a safety belt message.
As part of this event, we request that you schedule a follow-up check at least 30 days after the initial check. Anyone who achieves a safety belt usage rate of over 80% twice at least 30 days apart will be placed on the Safety Belt Honor Roll and will receive recognition from Governor Heinemann. If you achieve over 90% each time, your school will be on the Gold Standard Honor Roll.

All schools completing the 2 checks will be entered in a drawing for the $1000 prize. We will also draw for 2 $500 prizes.

Dates

Spring 2008	You will receive an initial confirmation letter	Provided by Click It--Don't Risk It
Fall 2008; start of school	You will receive a packet of information to help facilitate safety belt education. There will also be a press release distributed to various local newspapers in Nebraska	Provided by Click It--Don't Risk It
2 times during the fall semester, at least 30 days apart	Conduct Observations at either a regular school day or an event	Please complete at the the school with staff, students, or local volunteers
By the end of October	Submit you observed usage rate percentage information to Click It. If you have 2 observations that show 80% belted or more, please also submit an Honor Roll application.	To be coordinated by the school. Send to Click It.
November 5	Drawing for prize money will be held. Winners will be notified a press release sent to local newspapers.	Held by Click It.

Ideas for Schools

Here are ideas and tips to help you get started in planning activities to promote safety belt usage and occupant safety to your students. These projects can also educate about occupant safety as a means to prevent injuries that may result in serious injuries or deaths.

Invite law enforcement representatives to make presentations on traffic safety and safety belt usage in classes.
For an art or drafting class: Students can create posters and other artwork for a poster campaign or art contest that focuses on the Click It – Don’t Risk It! message. Students can include the logos and prom graphics from this planner in their artwork.
For a journalism class, school newspaper or other school media: Have students report on their classmates’ safety belt use. They can interview classmates to learn whether, when and why they wear — or don’t wear — a safety belt. The story can include results from the safety belt survey that the students conduct. Use “Click It – Don’t Risk It!” logo in school newspapers or newsletters.
For a community service project: If your school requires students to perform community service, encourage them to volunteer for your local law enforcement organization. The Click It Honor Roll is also a good community service project and may result in recognition from the governor in addition to saving lives.
Math, physics, government or sociology classes: Have students measure safety belt use by observing students as they arrive or leave school. Conduct two surveys and use the enclosed safety belt observational survey form. The students can tabulate the results and determine the initial rate of safety belt use and then the change in use.
For a physics class: Conduct an experiment on crash physics. The “Diana’s Last Message” video is an excellent tool for this project. Encourage them to report the results in the school newspaper or during morning or afternoon announcements. (See attached Safety Belt Honor Roll)
Health education class: Devote a section of your classes to automobile safety and attitudinal driving. See our resource list of speakers available at no charge.
Start a fundraising effort in conjunction with the Honor Roll application for a student group in your school. Many schools have fundraising efforts for music, athletic, social and honor groups that would work great with the Honor Roll. Representatives from these groups can solicit monetary donations to reflect the percentage of increase from the first safety belt check to the second. (See Honor Roll application for more details) This is a great way to help save lives by raising awareness of safety belt usage while making money for their groups or clubs at the same time.
Hang traffic safety and safety belt usage posters in school common areas. Such as cafeterias, halls or lobbies.
Have PA announcer make “Click It – Don’t Risk It!” announcements at the end of school functions and games. (Pep Rallies, Football games etc.)
Approach local businesses with lit marquee signs about including a safety belt usage message during your campaign efforts.
Approach local fast food businesses about distributing coupons to those wearing safety belts for a free soft drink or food item as a positive reinforcement.
Provide informational “stuffers” to local banks to include in statements or to local grocery stores to include in grocery bags, or give rewards to belted customers in the drive through.
Use our Safety Belt Quiz for extra credit in classes.
Hang free “Buckle Up” signs by exits of school parking lots and encourage local businesses to hang “Buckle Up” signs by exits of parking lots. (Signs ordered through the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety @ 402-471-2515)
Establish safety belt use policies for students.
Have Vince and Larry© greet arrivals at school events with treats for those restrained and information for those who are not. (Costumes are available for loan through the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety @ 402-471-2515)