PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for every age group from age 6 to 33. In 1999, residents of Puerto Rico experienced 558 crash deaths, 239 (43 percent) of which involved individuals age 33 or under. Research indicates that the earlier children are exposed to traffic safety education, the greater the possibility that safety behaviors will be permanently incorporated into their daily lives. Traffic safety advocates in Puerto Rico realized the importance of educating children about traffic safety as early as possible, and sought to identify creative ways to engage children in traffic safety education.

In recent years, a number of American corporations have become safety advocates, seeking to sponsor innovative projects promoting traffic safety. General Motors in Puerto Rico wished to sponsor a project to teach young children safety behaviors, while teaching parents to be responsible drivers and prevent traffic crashes.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Buckle Up, We're Leaving at the Children's Museum program was developed in 2000 as a joint venture between General Motors and the Children's Museum of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Its primary goal is to prevent deaths and injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes, by educating young children and parents about safety. Objectives of the program are to:

• Develop a fun, interactive exhibit to teach children and parents about traffic safety
• Place special emphasis on the proper use of safety belts and child restraints

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
Since its opening in 1993, the Children's Museum in Old San Juan has been the most visited museum in Puerto Rico. The museum houses three floors of exhibits where children can enjoy themselves following the rule of touch, speak and ask why, while learning about topics such as recycling, nutrition, and solar power.

In partnership with General Motors, Children's Museum staff developed the Buckle Up, We're Leaving (Abrochate que nos vamos) traffic safety exhibit, consisting of five interactive stations. The stations include:

• Child Restraint—Children must correctly place a baby (doll) in a safety seat
• Traffic Signs—Children choose from car cutouts that describe a particular driver action, and must match it with the proper traffic sign
• Signal Lights—Lights at the rear of a school bus light as the children press buttons to have the purpose of each light explained
• Traffic Light—The various colored lights of a traffic signal are activated by buttons
• Auto—Children use a video station to drive a car through the streets of Old San Juan, while they receive traffic safety messages

RESULTS
More than 49,000 children and their parents have visited the Buckle Up, We're Leaving exhibit since it opened in 2000, and many more are expected to come to the Children's Museum to enjoy and learn in future years.