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PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Data indicate that youthful
drivers in Illinois are three times more likely than more experienced
motorists to be involved in motor vehicle crashes, and are significantly
less likely to use safety belts. Of 373 drivers ages 16 to 24 killed
in traffic crashes in 1994, 215 were not wearing seat belts. In addition,
of 39,015 youthful drivers injured in crashes during that year, 15,664
were not using safety belts. To help promote the Buckle Up America
campaign in Illinois and educate high school students about the importance
of occupant restraint use, the Region 5 Office of NHTSA teamed with
Illinois high schools in 1999 to create the UbucklUp program.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of the UbucklUp
program is to reduce the incidence of teen crash-related fatalities
and injuries in Illinois, by educating students about the importance
of always buckling seat belts when traveling in a motor vehicle. Specific
objectives of the program are:
- To increase high school
students' awareness of the health and economic benefits of seat belts
and air bags
- To promote a peer-to-peer
effort conducted by students for students
- To pass a school-wide
resolution for the high school student body to support the Buckle
Up America initiative of increasing seat belt use nationwide
- To encourage 100 percent
seat belt use among the high school student population
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
UbucklUp is a peer-to-peer educational
program designed for high school juniors and seniors who are involved
in community service. Students participating in the program must become
thoroughly knowledgeable about seat belt issues, and how to conduct
observational surveys. Students are trained by NHTSA Region 5 staff,
or state highway safety office representatives in the correct use of
safety restraints, the important benefits of seat belt use and specific
methods for conducting seat belt use observational surveys at the school
campus. The program allows students and Department of Transportation
representatives to become familiar with each other. Activities conducted
at Illinois high schools in 1999 include:
- A resolution has been passed in several Illinois
high schools that allows students applying for a parking permit to
sign an agreement to always buckle their seat belt while traveling
on- or off-campus
- The Buckle Up America campaign was promoted
through student-initiated Buckle Up America rallies
- Seat belt observational surveys were initiated,
measuring the seat belt use rate among students who drive to school
and parents who drive their children to school. Survey results were
conveyed to parents
- A Safety Belt Challenge was issued in several
schools between the freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior classes.
Prizes were provided through donations from local businesses
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